Belize Weather: Cold Snaps In A Tropical Paradise

Belize has a comfortable subtropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 80°F. The temperature rarely falls below 60°F in winter and reaches the mid-90°Fs in summer. The country experiences two distinct seasons: the dry season, from December to May, and the wet season, from June to November. The dry season is the high season for tourism, with cooler temperatures and lower rainfall, while the wet season sees occasional rainfall and tropical storms. While it rarely gets very cold in Belize, the mountainous regions can experience temperatures below 50°F.

Belize's seasons

Belize has a comfortable, subtropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 80–84°F and 85% humidity. The country experiences two seasons: a dry season and a wet season. The dry season, from December to May, is characterised by warm to hot temperatures, sunny days, cooling trade winds, and little rain. The wet season, from June to November, brings heavier rainfall, with the wettest months being September and October.

The Dry Season

December to May is the dry season in Belize, with the least amount of rain falling from February to May. During these months, the average temperature ranges from 73–82°F, with the temperature rarely falling below 60°F. The dry season is the high season for tourism, with December to April being the busiest months. This is due to the pleasant weather, with warm and sunny days, perfect for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities.

December usually begins with rain but becomes drier towards the end of the month as the dry season sets in. January marks the transition between the wet and dry seasons, with mild temperatures and varying rainfall. February is the driest month, with mild days and cooler nights, making it an excellent month to explore the rainforest.

March and April are idyllic, with little rain, pleasant temperatures, and calm, clear waters. May is the hottest month, with temperatures reaching the mid-90°Fs on the mainland, and the rainy season begins in late May.

The Wet Season

June to November is the wet season in Belize, with the wettest months being September and October. During this time, the country receives an average of 50–180 inches of rainfall, with the southern region receiving more rain than the north. The wet season is the low season for tourism, as there can be occasional rainfall during sunny days. However, the rain usually falls in brief showers lasting an hour or two, and it is still possible to enjoy outdoor activities.

June marks the start of the rainy season, with fresh breezes and short afternoon showers keeping the temperatures moderate. July is the wettest month, with frequent rainfall and thunderstorms at night. August offers a brief respite from the rain, known locally as the "Little Dry," with drier winds and a decrease in rainfall.

September is the height of the rainy season, with increasing rainfall, especially in the early mornings and overnight. October sees occasional stronger storms, known as "Northers," centred around the Maya Mountains. November is the beginning of winter for locals, with cooler temperatures and variable weather, but still warm and sunny for visitors from colder climates.

Overall, Belize's seasons are characterised by consistent temperatures, with the main differences being in rainfall and humidity. The dry season offers sunny and warm weather, perfect for beach holidays and outdoor activities, while the wet season brings heavier rainfall but also greener landscapes and fewer crowds.

Temperature range

Belize has a comfortable subtropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 80–84 °F and an average annual humidity of 83–85%. The coolest winter temperatures can reach the low 60s, and during the hottest parts of summer, temperatures can reach the mid-90s.

Belize has two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season, which falls between December and May, is characterised by warm to hot temperatures, sunny days, cooling trade winds, and little rain. From December to February, strong northerly winds called "nortes" can blow in from the US and Mexico, bringing thick clouds and cool nights, and causing some of the lowest temperatures of the year. From March to April, there are hotter days with almost no clouds.

The wet season, which runs from June to November, sees parts of the country receive up to 150 inches of rain. The heavy, sometimes wild storms associated with the Caribbean occur, usually in the late afternoons. The wet season is also hurricane season, and while Belize does not attract many major direct hits, it does experience severe tropical weather with high winds and rain. The wettest months are from May to October, during which the country receives an average of 50–180 inches of rainfall.

The temperature in Belize varies by only about 4 °C between the coolest part of the year (December to March) and the hottest (May to September). The daily temperature range is around 10 °C from the hottest part of the day to the coolest part of the night. In the uplands (Mountain Pine Ridge and the Maya Mountains), temperatures fall by about 3 °C for every 1,000 ft rise in altitude.

Sources note that the weather in Belize can be very difficult to predict and that seasons are differentiated more by average rainfall and humidity than by temperature.

Rainfall

Belize has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season typically occurs from December to May, while the rainy season lasts from June to November. The country experiences heavy rainfall during the rainy season, with parts of the country receiving up to 150 inches of rain. The wettest months are typically September and October.

The amount of rainfall varies across the country, with the southern regions receiving the highest amounts. Southern Belize can receive more than 150 inches of rainfall per year, while the northern regions rarely exceed 50 inches. The onset of the rainy season usually begins in the south in mid-May and gradually moves north, reaching the northern regions by mid-June.

The rainy season is also known as the hurricane season, and while Belize does not often experience direct hits from hurricanes, it is prone to tropical storms and the impact of Atlantic hurricanes. These storms can bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the region.

During the dry season, rainfall is significantly lower, and when rain does occur, it is usually in short bursts. The dry season is characterised by warm to hot temperatures, sunny days, and cooling trade winds.

The transition between the rainy and dry seasons can vary, with some sources stating a gradual transition and others noting a sharp change. The dry season can be further divided into a cool transition period from November to February and a warm, dry period from March to May.

The rainfall patterns in Belize are influenced by various factors, including the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The ITCZ enhances rainfall in the southern regions, while El Niño and La Niña can impact the overall climate, with El Niño producing warmer conditions and La Niña associated with wetter weather.

In summary, Belize experiences a significant amount of rainfall during its rainy season, with a sharp transition to the dry season. The amount of rainfall varies across the country, with the southern regions receiving the highest amounts. The rainfall patterns are influenced by tropical waves, tropical storms, and hurricanes, making Belize a rainy and humid place to visit.

Best time to visit

Belize has a comfortable subtropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 80–84°F and 85% humidity. The country experiences two seasons: the dry season, which falls between December and May, and the wet season, which runs from June to November. The dry season is the country's high season for tourism, so expect crowds and higher prices. The wet season, meanwhile, is the low season, with fewer tourists and discounted rates on offer.

December to April: Dry Season

December to April is the best time to visit Belize, weather-wise. The dry season offers warm temperatures, clear skies, and easy access to the country's attractions. From December to February, the temperature drops slightly, leading to cool, breezy days with lots of sunshine. From March to April, the weather gets hotter, with almost no clouds. This is a great time for outdoor activities, such as water sports and jungle adventures.

May: Shoulder Season

May is a transition month between the dry and wet seasons. It is a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds of the high season and the rain of the wet season. You can also find discounted rates during this month.

June to November: Wet Season

June to November is the low season for tourism in Belize, with fewer visitors and discounted rates. While you may experience some rain during this period, it usually only lasts for an hour or two in the afternoon or evening, unless there is a tropical storm. The wettest months are July and October. This season is also hurricane season, which runs from June to November, with September and October being the most active months.

How it compares to North America

Belize has a comfortable subtropical climate, with an average yearly temperature of 80°F and 84°F, and humidity hovering around 85%coolest winter temperatures can reach the low 60°F, while the hottest parts of summer can reach the mid 90°F on the mainland. In comparison, North America experiences a wider range of temperatures, with much colder winters and hotter summers.

Belize's dry season, which falls between December and May, is characterised by warm to hot temperatures, sunny days, cooling trade winds, and little rain. This is the high season for tourism in Belize, as visitors seek to escape the cold winter weather in North America. During this time, strong northerly winds called "nortes" can bring thick clouds and cool nights, causing some of the lowest temperatures of the year.

On the other hand, the rainy season in Belize, which runs from June to November, coincides with the low tourist season. While there may be occasional rainfall during this time, it is usually brief and does not last all day. The rainy season is also hurricane season, and while Belize does not often get hit directly by hurricanes, it can experience tropical storms with heavy rains and strong winds.

In contrast, North America experiences four distinct seasons, with more extreme temperature variations. Winters in North America can be bitterly cold, with freezing temperatures and snowfall common in many regions. Similarly, summers can be extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F.

Overall, Belize offers a pleasant climate that is suitable for travel year-round. The consistent temperatures and relatively mild weather make it an attractive destination for those seeking to escape the more extreme temperatures of North America.

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