General Situation:
Ambergris Caye: Conditions this morning by Elbert just before or after this post!
Belize NMS:
Present Condition: Mostly cloudy. A light north to northeasterly airflow will prevail.
Advisories: None.
24-hour forecast:
Cloudy spells with a few showers or periods of rain mostly south. Elsewhere, showers will be isolated.
Winds: N-NE, 5-15 kts Sea State: Light Chop
Waves: 2-4 ft
Sea Surface Temperature (°f): 82
Outlook:
For Tuesday and Tuesday night is for generally fair weather except for a few showers over southern districts.
Sargassum Forecast from December 15, 2020 to December 23, 2020:
Latest satellite imagery show no significant sargassum over the area therefore impacts from sargassum are expected to remain minimal during the new few days. San Pedro has a low probability and a minimal expected impact.
Tropical Weather Outlook:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected in the North Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea or the Gulf of Mexico during the next 48 hours.
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Marine Conditions:
The Caribbean Sea
Latest ASCAT data depicts fresh to strong trade winds over the
south-central Caribbean and in the Gulf of Venezuela. Fresh
northeast winds are noted south of Hispaniola. These winds are
the result of the pressure gradient between high pressure located
over the western Atlantic and lower pressure associated with the
Colombian/Panamaniam low. These winds will persist during most of
the forecast period.
Patches of low-level moisture, embedded in the trade wind flow,
are noted moving westward across the basin mainly north of about
14N. Scattered passing showers are possible with some of these
clouds.
As for the forecast: The cold front currently moving across the
southern Gulf of Mexico is forecast to reach the Yucatan Channel
and western Cuba this morning. It is forecast to extend from
central Cuba to northern Belize by tonight, then gradually weaken
from eastern Cuba to the Gulf of Honduras on Tue. Another and
stronger cold front is expected to reach the Yucatan Channel and
western Cuba by Thu night. Fresh to strong northerly winds will
follow this front.
The December solstice occurred at 4:02 am local time. The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.
There is another cool air bubble coming down over the Yucatan, causing the Caribbean winds to turn down southwards.
But there are three levels of cloud movement, some Caribbean air mass is still moving towards the west over Guatamala and there is even some moving up from the south in Mexico. But all covered by the high level from the SW, which has been causing a lot of clashing yesterday and now heavy action down south, mainly over the sea, where there must be a lot of rain.
Looks as if most of Belize has sunshine at present, but with significant clouds around and could be isolated rain later, some could be heavy.
Temperatures in Belmopan : ( Coast usually cooler, hills even cooler ) Last night min. 21°C 70°F Yesterday 26°C 79°F Yesterday Rain 34.4 mm ( 1.4")
Present Condition: Mostly clear in the north, more cloudy in the south. A light north to northeasterly airflow prevails over the area.
24hr Forecast: Sunny with a few cloudy spells during the daytime and partly cloudy tonight. A few showers or periods of light rain will occur mostly over southern Belize. Elsewhere, showers will be isolated.
Outlook: For Tuesday afternoon through to midday on Wednesday is for generally fair weather to prevail, except for a few showers over southern Belize.
REGION 7 - The RIO HONDO at Blue Creek, Santa Cruz, San Antonio, San Roman, Douglas and to the coast, levels are below normal and steady. On the NEW RIVER at Tower Hill and Caledonia levels are above normal and steady.
REGION 9 - On the MACAL RIVER reservoir levels at all BECOL facilities are below the spillway; while at San Ignacio, levels are below the low-level bridge and steady. Levels on the MOPAN RIVER at Benque Viejo Town are normal and show a minimal rise.
THE BELIZE RIVER at Double Run is above normal and steady levels. The CROOKED TREE LAGOON remains inundated as Lagoon levels continue to recede.
REGION 11 - Levels are below normal and steady on the SIBUN RIVER at Freetown Sibun. Levels on the SOUTHERN LAGOON near Gales Point Village are near normal and steady. The watersheds on the EASTERN SLOPES OF THE MAYAN MOUNTAINS are near normal and steady. The SITTEE RIVER at Kendal Bridge is above normal and steady. On the Swasey and Bladen Branches of the MONKEY RIVER levels are normal and steady. The DEEP RIVER at Medina Bank is below normal and steady. Levels on the RIO GRANDE at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls are below normal steady. Levels on the MOHO RIVER at Jordan and Blue Creek South are normal and steady. Levels on the TEMASH RIVER near Crique Sarco are near normal and steady.
REGION 13 - On the SARSTOON RIVER levels are near normal and steady.
FLOOD FORECAST
REGION 7 - The RIO HONDO at Blue Creek, Santa Cruz, San Antonio, San Roman, Douglas and to the coast, below normal levels are expected to continue. On the NEW RIVER at Tower Hill and Caledonia above normal levels are expected to continue
REGION 9 - On the MACAL RIVER at all BECOL facilities, reservoir levels is expected to remain below the spillways; at San Ignacio, levels are expected to remain below the low-level bridge. On the MOPAN RIVER at Benque Viejo Town, normal and steady levels are expected.
On the BELIZE RIVER at Double Run, above normal levels are expected to continue over the next few days. On the CROOKED TREE LAGOON, residents are advised to exercise caution as the lagoon water is still over the causeway. THE LAGOON is expected to remain at Flood Stage for several more days.
REGION 11 - On the SIBUN RIVER near Freetown Sibun, below normal levels is expected to continue. Normal and steady levels are expected to continue on the SOUTHERN LAGOON near Gales Point Village. In watersheds on the EASTERN SLOPES OF THE MAYAN MOUNTAINS, normal and steady levels are expected. Above normal and steady levels on SITTEE RIVER near Kendal Bridge are expected to become normal levels. On the Swasey and Bladen Branches of the MONKEY RIVER normal levels are expected to continue. On the DEEP RIVER at Medina Bank below normal levels are expected to continue. Levels on the RIO GRANDE at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls are expected to remain at below normal levels. On the MOHO RIVER at Jordan and Blue Creek South normal and steady levels are expected to continue. On the TEMASH RIVER at Crique Sarco near normal and steady levels are expected.
REGION 13 - On the SARSTOON RIVER, near normal and steady levels is expected.
The next Flood Report and Forecast will be issued on Wednesday December 23. 2020 at 12 pm
The great Conjunction of Jupitor & Saturn forming the 'Christmas Star' today December 21st, 2020. Shining bright in the sky over Ambergris Caye. Such an event has not happened for almost 800yrs. 5 days before the conjunction our moon joined the big planets in our solar system. Photo by Marlena Gomez
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