San Pedro Readies for Hurricane Richard

Forecast for Richard
The latest set of 12am CST (6Z) model runs are in excellent agreement with Richard's track, taking the enter of the storm inland over Belize between 4pm - 9pm CST tonight. The latest radar animations from the Belize radar indicate that Belize City will experience a portion of the eyewall of Richard, and residents of Belize City can expect a 2 - 4 hour period of hurricane force winds to begin between 4pm - 6pm CST this evening. Tropical storm force winds of 39+ mph should arrive at the coast between 2pm - 4pm CST this afternoon. A good way to estimate these arrival times is using the wundermap with the "hurricane" layer turned on and the "wind radius" and "forecast" boxes checked. Richard is in a very favorable environment for intensification, with low wind shear between 5 - 10 knots, and warm water temperatures of 29 - 29.5°C. Given these conditions, and the fact that the eyewall is is now fully formed, Richard will probably undergo a period of rapid intensification that could take it to Category 2 strength with 100 mph winds at landfall this evening. Once inland, Richard's small size and relatively slow forward speed of 5 - 10 mph on Monday will lead to substantial weakening as it crosses the Yucatan Peninsula.

 People are boarding up their homes and businesses and preparing for Hurricane Richard's landfall this afternoon.

 Conditions have started to deteriorate

Premium Wines and Spirits at Fido's all boarded up

 Most people are boarding up

Elvi's Kitchen all boarded up, some tourist wandering around town

Private homes shuttered up

 Beach homes protected with sand bags

Resident boarding up with any pieces of lumber they find

Waves at Boca del Rio Area

Waves at Wet Willy's Dock

Paula Becomes a Hurricane

    As of 8am EDT Tuesday Hurricane Paula was located 190 miles to the south-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico with top winds of 75 mph and was moving toward the northwest at 10 mph.

The National Emergency Management Organization of Belize still has a Tropical Storm Warnings for the northern districts of Belize, including Ambergris Caye, this morning as it closely monitors the development of Hurricane Paula. Although Paula is not forecasted to make landfall in Belize, storm conditions are possible due to the hurricane’s proximity to land. Classes from most schools on the island have been cancelled; please check with your children’s schools.

Kevin Roth, Lead Meteorologist, The Weather Channel

Oct. 12, 2010 8:05 am ET

    Hurricane warnings are in effect for the eastern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Punta Gruesa to Cabo Catoche, including Cancun and Cozumel.

    Tropical storm warnings have been discontinued for coastal Honduras from Limon eastward to the Nicaragua border, including the Bay Islands.

    Tropical storm warnings continue along coastal Mexico from Chetumel northward to just south of Punta Gruesa and from Cabo Catoche west to San Felipe.

Atmospheric conditions are favorable for Paula to strengthen today and Wednesday. Paula could be a category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale as it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula Wednesday.

    Paula is forecast to continue to move northwestward toward the Yucatan Peninsula through early Wednesday. During the day Wednesday Paula should gradually turn to the north and northeast in response to a storm system moving through the eastern United States.

    There are two scenarios developing for the future path of Paula beyond Wednesday. If the storm system in the eastern United States is strong enough it could pull Paula northeastward across Cuba and near southern Florida Wednesday night through Thursday. If the storm is not strong enough to capture Paula and pull it northeastward it would meander around the northwest Caribbean into the weekend.

    Heavy rain from Paula will douse northern Belize, the Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. Rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is possible through Wednesday. A few localized areas of 10 inches are possible near mountainous areas. The heavy rain could lead to flash flooding and mud slides.

All Eyes Back Out into the Caribbean!!

All eyes are back out at sea monitoring the Caribbean as another tropical disturbance has projected paths targeting Belize. Please pay close attention to this developing bad weather system, which forecasters have an 80% chance developing into a more organized tropical storm. Storm Plus is another great weather website that has interactive weather maps and great hurricane tracking information that can help you monitor and prepare for incoming storms. Click on image to visit Storm Plus Website.

Other Great Websites:
Crown Weather Service
Weather Underground

High Winds of Tropical Storm Alex

TS Alex Passes by with Minimal Damages

Took a ride around town and checked the beaches this morning; everything is FINE! Damage was confined to business signs, old piers and palapas and plenty of sea grass accumulated on the beach. Grateful it was not worse. The center of Tropical Storm Alex passed just north of Belize City and winds here in San Pedro were clocked at a maximum of 49.5mph.

A Bridesmaid called in on the Weather Channel this morning and said that her friend's wedding was still on for today. The rain is gone and a very nice tropical breeze is blowing into town. The SUN is out! What a great day after the storm. Lobster Fest in Placencia is going strong on its second day as is the island of Caye Caulker.

Business sign for Chuck and Robbie's Dive Shop found a block away

Plenty of Sea Grass all over the beaches

Shrine of the Virgin Mary was knocked down at this beach residence

The pool of The Phoenix gets a quick clean up

Residents hit the beach early in the morning for some interesting finds

Tourist go for a morning walk