TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS IN FRONT OF BELIZE

June 25, 2010

The first Tropical Depression of the Atlantic Hurricane Season has formed. According to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, at five o’clock this evening, the centre of the Depression was located at sixteen point five degrees north longitude, eighty three point five degrees latitude or about three hundred and forty five miles east-southeast of Chetumanl, Mexico. The Depression is moving towards the west North West at ten miles per hour. It is carrying maximum sustained winds of thirty five miles per hour. Earlier this afternoon, Love News spoke with Forecaster Derrick Rudon from the Belize Weather Bureau, who said that Belizeans should prepare for lots of rain this weekend.

Derrick Rudon; Forecaster, Belize Weather Bureau

"It is a well organized tropical wave with an area of low pressure embedded on it near north eastern Honduras. Since morning it has increased its organization and the hurricane centre is not giving it an 80% chance of becoming a tropical depression either later today or tomorrow.”

Patrick Jones, Reporter

What does that mean for Belize in terms of our weather conditions?

Derrick Rudon

“It means that the weather will be bad. We will get rains tonight and tomorrow and it could be even worse it develops into a depression or even a storm.”

Patrick Jones, Reporter

Earlier your forecaster said that it was all the conditions are conducive for further development; explain what that means in terms of what conditions are out there.

Derrick Rudon

“Sea surface temperatures are warm in that area. There is already the low pressure centre out there so there is an area of disturbed weather and there is an upper level high over the system to vent it. All the conditions are there for this thing to develop.”

Patrick Jones, Reporter

What could be keeping it from developing if the conditions are so ripe?

Derrick Rudon

“Sometimes all the conditions are there and the thing still does not form so it might just be a matter of time.”

Patrick Jones, Reporter

Looking at that picture, that is telling me that it is bringing a lot of rain with it.

Derrick Rudon

“Right, we are expecting about three to four inches of rain for the next two to three days.”

Patrick Jones, Reporter

In terms of Belize is there a particular concern that you have that you would advise people to be on the lookout for?

Derrick Rudon

“Certainly, the low lying areas and the flood prone areas, they should be on the alert for flash flooding. If you live near the river you should monitor the river as well. If we get this amount of rain in a short period of time then flash flooding can certainly occur.”

Earlier today, the government of Belize issued a Tropical Storm watch for the entire coast of Belize. A Tropical Storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are likely to affect the country of Belize within the next thirty six hours. A bulletin issued by the National Emergency Management Organization advises people living along the coast and on the cayes to evacuate early, once the preliminary phase has been declared. That declaration has not yet been made by the Government of Belize. Mariners are also being advised that they need to make early preparations to seek safe harbor if the need arises. Stay tuned to Love News for more information on this developing Situation. Repeating the latest position of Tropical Depression Number One. Sixteen point five degrees north, eighty three point five degrees west or about three hundred and forty five miles east southeast of Chetumal, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are thirty five miles per hour and the Depression is moving west northwest at ten miles per hour.

|

|