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Saturday, May 19, 2012

I Hate To Be the Bearer of Bad News: It's Raining But many of you know that already. You've been grabbing your umbrella on the way out the door for a few days now...

The weather has ranged from full blown, drenching rain to on-and-off sprinkles to hot, humid sun with looming clouds. Not ideal...but as we move into the rainier season, we need to expect it once in a while.

Here is a picture at sun rise this morning. I wasn't sure if the sun had risen or not...

Yes, generally at the beginning of the more stormy season, the rain is contained to the night and early morning. And it doesn't last for three days...but June 1st IS the official start to the hurricane season. And as the summer goes on...the Caribbean starts swirling (for all of you not "in the know", swirling is a technical meteorlogical term).

Here are some pictures over the last few days.

Biking to work through the puddles.

Puddles are big in some areas...

Just a bit grey most of the day yesterday.

And if you are coming to visit soon, don't fret. A day or night of rain doesn't stop this town...there is plenty going on. Live music, great restaurants, waterside bars where people congragate during down pours (think BC's or Palapa Bar). Try some new Belikin Chocolate Stout at Fido's. It's a great way to meet people...

An early rainy season

Mr. Raymond hauling trash from Grand Caribe to town

In retrospect, the dramatic halo around the sun on May 13th must have signaled the start of rainy season, and an early one at that. Rainy season usually stretches from June through December in Belize; although this year, we had a wet January, and May has been very wet as well. It has rained nearly every day or night since that rainbow around the moon appeared, twice nearly 3" in less than 24 hours. Last night it rained nearly 3" in less than 12 hours!

Today we had to ride our bikes to town to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables as we were completely out, and Tuesday is normally a day that the boats come from the mainland loaded down with fresh produce. We knew the road north of the bridge, which is unpaved and sandy, would be a real mess after the heavy rains last night, as it was already in poor shape from the past week and a half of on-and-off rain. Fortunately we can ride part of the way on the beach, but in some places, there is no choice but to ride on the road. Thought you might like to come along and see what a ride into town is like during rainy season....

Barry negotiating puddles by Reef Village and the Cloisters

Hurricane Season Opens Early: When It Rains, It Seems to Pour In San Pedro

The hurricane season seems to be starting early. Tropical Depression Alberto hovers off the coast of the Carolinas and Tropic Storm Bud (interesting choice of names) sits off the west coast of Mexico. The official start of the season isn't for another week (June 1st).

Though the storms are not very close to us, the whole Caribbean is still swirling and we are sandwiched right in the middle...

We've had four days of grey, drizzly weather with heavy rains at night. As many Belizeans will tell you..."good baby making weather".

last night was no exception - heavy HEAVY rains with thunder and lightening. (Almost 3 inches of rain between 9pm and 5am). The run-off from the hotels and houses dug trenches in the beach overnight...

Today seems to be starting a bit brighter. Hopefully that is the trend..