Belize,
bordering with Mexico and Guatemala on the east coast of Central America, enjoys a sub-tropical climate dominated by variations in
rainfall. Hot weather and high humidity can be expected year round. There is a
dry season from December till May, and a wet season from June till November.
There is also a brief dry season know as the ‘little dry’ that usually occurs
in late July or early August. Belize
is also affected by hurricanes; from July to October falls the period of
greatest risk. Due to the diverse topography of Belize, there are vast regional
variations in weather. The country can be split up into three climatic regions:
the flat, low-lying north, the hilly south with the Maya Mountains,
and the offshore cayes (keys) off the east coast. Belize is a place of incredible
beauty and biodiversity. While the mainland suffers from heavy deforestation,
marine areas are less affected by development and much of the coral is
considered pristine.
Northern Belize is the driest region of Belize,
receiving around 1270 mm of rainfall per year. Temperatures are also slightly
higher. Orange Walk, in the north, sees average high temperatures constantly
hovering around 30°C. In the lead up to the wet season and throughout it, from March till
October, the average high temperature per month stays above 30°C. From November
till April it cools off very slightly, seeing average highs of 30°C or lower.
January is its ‘coolest’ month with an average high of 28°C. Night time lows
show greater variation, averaging in the mid 20s during the hot, wet months,
and dropping to around 20°C during the dry months. Coastal, northern Belize benefits from the moderating effects of
the Caribbean Sea. Belize City is usually about 2°C cooler than
inner regions. Belmopan, further south and west,
sees similar summer highs to Belize
City but its evenings are marginally cooler, possible
due to lower humidity levels. Belmopan
also receives its wet season earlier than further areas further north; its
wettest month is June. Coastal regions are often very windy from February to
July, being the recipient of northeast trade winds, and are at risk of
hurricanes from July to October.
The lower levels of rainfall and higher temperatures in the north are due
to this area’s topography. The lack of high ground or mountains means rainfall
is less likely to form, as humid air can easily pass over the region. Lower
elevations always correlate with higher temperatures. Higher humidity levels in
areas near the coast are due to the great abundance of water. Obviously, there
is the vast Caribbean Sea but away from the
coast much of the flat land is dominated by lagoons and swamps.
Southern Belize sees high
levels of rainfall and slightly lower temperatures. Punta Gorda, in the far
south on the coast, sees about 4500 mm of rainfall per year and average high
temperatures around 2°C cooler than in Orange Walk. Higher up in the mountains it is generally
much cooler, temperatures dropping with increasing altitude. These mountains,
reaching up to 3000 feet in places, trap humid air and result in higher levels
of rainfall. The rainy season arrives earlier in the southeast before it
travels northwest, and the south is also less likely to experience the ‘little
dry’ season. Punta Gorda’s wettest month is July, while Orange Walk’s is
September, and Punta Gorda does not see a lull in its rainfall. Again, coastal
regions are cooler than low lying inland areas and benefit from a cooling
coastal breeze. Polar air fronts are strongest from October to January and
create ideal windsurfing and sailing conditions.
The cayes (Keys) receive low rainfall in comparison to southern
regions of mainland Belize,
averaging around 1500 mm per year. Temperatures are almost identical to coastal
Belize,
made almost imperceptibly cooler by their increased exposure to sea winds. This
helps to temper the effect of the higher humidity levels of the cayes.
The best time to visit Belize is between February and May,
no matter what kind of holiday you are looking for. This period sees the least
rain and lowest temperatures. Other benefits of this kind of weather are the
reduced frequency of storms and a clearer sea. Anyone visiting coastal Belize is sure
to want to explore the stunning coral reefs that lie just offshore and clear
weather improves visibility and swimming conditions. Wind is at its strongest
creating perfect windsurfing conditions and fantastic waves for surfing, but
storms have not churned sand and sediment into water. Glover’s Reef is
considered the only safe surf spot in Belize, as it does not break over
shallow coral. Ambergris Caye is the most popular tourist destination in Belize. If you
are a dive purist you should head for the Outer Atolls. Due to their relative
inaccessibility, these offer the best diving in Belize.
As the climate of Belize is sub-tropical, rainfall,
whichever season it occurs in, usually falls in extreme torrential downpours,
often in thunderstorms with high winds. While rainfall levels are dramatically
reduced during the dry season, occasional storms are an unpredictable certainty
and visitors should always go prepared for wet weather. In extreme cases during
and usually during August and September, this can turn into hurricane weather.
Though Belize is south of the usual path of hurricanes, it is quite close to the
entrance to the Gulf of Mexico and the country has been the victim of several
horrific cyclones that caused extensive damage.
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