Belize's Soaking Season: Understanding The Country's Rainfall Patterns

Belize has a subtropical climate with a distinct wet season from June to November, and a dry season from February to May. The country experiences a sharp transition between these seasons. During the wet season, parts of Belize receive up to 150 inches of rain, with the annual rainfall ranging from 60 inches (1524mm) in the north to 160 inches (4064mm) in the south. The wet season is also hurricane season, and while Belize does not attract many major direct hits, it experiences severe tropical weather with high winds and rain. The dry season, on the other hand, sees significantly lower rainfall, with rain typically occurring in short bursts.

Rainfall in the north and south

Belize is situated on the Caribbean coast of Central America, with Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. The country experiences a moist tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season lasts from May or June to October or November, with the transition to the dry season being very sharp.

The average annual rainfall in Belize ranges from 60 inches (1524mm) in the north to 160 inches (4064mm) in the south. The onset of the rainy season usually begins in early May in the southernmost region of Toledo, which receives the highest annual rainfall in the country. The rainy season then progresses northward, reaching the Corozal District in the extreme north of the country by early June. The southern region experiences the highest rainfall in July, which is the wettest month. The central regions have two peaks in rainfall, occurring in June and September, though these are significantly lower than the single maximum in the south. The north of the country experiences more evenly distributed rainfall throughout the wet season, with no significant variation.

The dry season in Belize lasts from November to May, with April being the driest month. During the dry season, high-pressure systems in the Atlantic create stable and windy south-easterly airflow over the region. The dry season can be further subdivided into a cool transition period from November to February, and a warm, dry period from March to May.

Wet and dry seasons

Belize's weather is characterised by two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season, also known as the rainy season, usually occurs from May or June to October or November. During this period, parts of the country receive up to 150 inches of rain, with the southern regions experiencing the highest rainfall, ranging from 160 inches (4064mm) to 175 inches (4445mm). The wet season is also hurricane season, and while Belize does not attract many major direct hits, it experiences severe tropical weather with high winds and rain. The transition from the wet to dry season is gradual, with a brief dry spell in August known as the "Mauga" or "Little Dry" season.

The dry season in Belize typically lasts from November to May, with the driest months being April and May. The dry season can be further subdivided into two periods: a cool transition period from November to February, influenced by cold fronts from the Continental USA, and a warm, dry period from March to May, driven by high-pressure systems in the Atlantic. During the dry season, rainfall is significantly lower, and when rain does occur, it is usually mild and short-lived.

The onset of the wet season in Belize is marked by two consecutive days of rainfall accumulation of at least 30 mm, followed by four out of seven days with rain accumulation of at least 1 mm. The wet season exhibits a break in late July or August before picking up again in September. The wettest month is typically October, with an average of 249 mm of rainfall.

The wet and dry seasons in Belize offer different pros and cons for travellers. The dry season, with its mild and pleasant weather, is a popular time for visitors, especially in coastal areas. On the other hand, the wet season provides a chance to experience the country's lush tropical climate and witness the vibrant plant life that thrives during this period. Despite the rainfall, Belize's overall mild climate makes it an enjoyable destination for visitors throughout the year.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Belize has a rainy season from June to November, during which the country experiences tropical waves, tropical storms, and hurricanes. Hurricanes occur frequently in Belize, with an average of seven hurricanes per year. However, they often do not make landfall in Belize, instead turning northward. The most affected regions are Belize and Corozal. The hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late November.

Since 1930, there have been 16 hurricanes in Belize, eight of which were major hurricanes of Category 4 or higher. In addition, 17 systems made landfall in Belize as Tropical Storms.

One of the deadliest hurricanes in Belize's history occurred on September 10, 1931, when a Category 4 hurricane struck Belize City, killing approximately 2,500 people.

On October 31, 1961, Hurricane Hattie made landfall in Belize, causing extensive damage to Belize City. The capital city was forced to move inland to its current location in Belmopan.

On October 9, 2001, Hurricane Iris made landfall in Monkey River Town, Belize, as a small but powerful Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds. Iris caused 24 deaths and $250 million in damage, with 95% of buildings in 35 villages destroyed.

On August 21, 2007, Hurricane Dean made landfall just north of Belize, bringing strong winds, rain, and storm surges. While Corozal Town was one of the worst-affected areas, the damage was less than expected. The crop industry suffered significant losses, with almost $30 million worth of papaya and $3.6 million worth of sugar damaged.

On October 25, 2010, Hurricane Richard struck Belize, causing widespread damage to central and southern regions with its nearly 90 mph winds and torrential rains. Initial damage estimates were around $49.2 million, with $34.7 million in losses to agriculture and $14.5 million in damage to homes.

On August 4, 2016, Hurricane Earl made landfall in Belize as a Category 1 hurricane, causing extensive damage, particularly to the agriculture sector, with losses exceeding $100 million.

The most recent tropical cyclone to hit Belize was Hurricane Lisa in November 2022.

Average temperatures

Belize has a tropical climate with a mean annual temperature range of 23-27°C. The average yearly temperature is 84°F (29°C). The country's weather is characterised by two seasons: a rainy and a dry season. The dry season falls between February and May, with significantly less rainfall than the rest of the year. The wet season is from June to November, with the most frequent rainfall usually occurring in June or early July.

The mean temperature in Belize City is approximately 74°F (23°C) in December and 84°F (29°C) in July. The coldest month is January, with an average maximum temperature of 28°C, while the hottest month is May, with an average maximum temperature of 32°C. The average temperature for the rest of the year ranges between 28°C and 31°C.

The difference in average temperatures between the coast and the mountains is about 8.8°F/4.8°C, with the coast exhibiting hotter temperatures than the interior. For example, the Belize Inland Central Farm in the Cayo District has an average maximum temperature of 88.3°F (31.3°C), while the average maximum temperature at the Belize Mountains Cooma Cairn is 77.5°F (25.3°C).

Rainfall by region

Belize is situated on the Caribbean coast of Central America and enjoys a good subtropical climate. The country experiences two seasons: a rainy season and a dry season. The rainy season lasts from June to November, with the transition to the dry season being very sharp. The annual rainfall ranges from 60 inches (1524mm) in the north to 160 inches (4064mm) in the south. The onset of the rainy season begins in early May in Toledo, where the annual rainfall is highest, progressing north to Stann Creek, Belize, Cayo, and Orange Walk District in late May, and reaching Corozal District in early June.

Southern Belize

The southern region of Belize experiences the highest rainfall in the country, with the wettest month being July. The mean annual rainfall in the south ranges from 150-400 mm, with the intrusion of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and orographic lifting over steep slopes enhancing rainfall activity. The annual rainfall in Punta Gorda, located in the extreme south, is approximately 175 inches (4,445 mm).

Central Belize

The central regions of Belize exhibit primary and secondary rainfall maxima occurring in June and September, with amounts significantly lower than the southern region. The annual rainfall recorded over central locations such as Central Farm in the Cayo District and Philip Goldson International Airport in the Belize District reflect these regional patterns.

Northern Belize

The northern region of Belize, including areas like Consejo in Corozal and Tower Hill near Orange Walk Town, experiences more evenly distributed rainfall throughout the rainy season. Northern Belize has a subtropical climate with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm (60 inches).

Overall, Belize's rainfall patterns showcase a gradual transition from the subtropical climate in the north to the increasingly tropical climate in the south, with the rainy season starting in the south in mid-May and reaching the north by mid-June.

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