Belize Urged to Prepare as Hurricane Season Begins

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on Monday, June 1, and will continue through November 30. While the season has set dates, weather officials note that tropical cyclones can sometimes develop outside of this period.

Forecasters are predicting a slightly below-normal hurricane season this year. The outlook calls for eight to fourteen named storms in the Atlantic Basin. Of those systems, three to six could strengthen into hurricanes, while one to three may become major hurricanes classified as Category 3 or higher.

In an average Atlantic hurricane season, there are usually fourteen named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

According to the National Meteorological Service (NMS) of Belize, two major factors are expected to influence this year’s season. Meteorologists say there is a strong chance that an El Niño weather pattern will develop during the season. El Niño conditions usually reduce hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin.

However, sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic remain warmer than normal, which could provide additional energy for tropical cyclone development.

Officials stressed that seasonal forecasts only estimate the overall level of activity and cannot predict exactly when storms will form or where they will travel. Even with fewer storms expected, Belize could still be affected by one or more systems during the season.

The National Meteorological Service and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) are encouraging residents to continue preparing for the possibility of severe weather. Authorities are advising families and businesses to review and update emergency plans and supplies.

The NMS said it will continue to monitor weather systems closely and provide timely updates to NEMO and the public if any storm threatens Belize. NEMO and its emergency committees across the country are also prepared to activate the National Hurricane Response Plan if necessary.

Officials are reminding the public to rely only on official information from the NMS and NEMO and warned that sharing false information is an offence.