Tropical Storm “Nadine” makes landfall in Belize
Tropical Storm “Nadine” made landfall in Belize City at 16:00 UTC (10:00 local time) on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph). Nadine is the 14th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and the first tropical cyclone to make landfall in Belize since Category 1 Hurricane “Lisa” in 2022.
Satellite image of Tropical Storm "Nadine" at 16:00 UTC on October 19, 2024. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
Nadine formed at 06:00 UTC on October 19 when its center was about 190 km (120 miles) east of Belize City. At that time, Nadine was moving west at 13 km/h (8 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 1 004 hPa. Tropical-storm-force winds extended 315 km (194 miles) outwards from the center.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued from Belize City to the northern border of Mexico and Belize. In Mexico, tropical storm warnings have been issued from Tulum to the southern border with Belize, including Cozumel.
Ahead of landfall, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) urged residents in the Corozal, Belize, Orange Walk, and Cayo Districts to activate their emergency plans and prepare for potential flooding and high winds.
Additionally, all other districts were advised to stay on high alert, as Nadine could bring unpredictable weather to other regions as well. Local authorities, including the Belize City Council, NEMO Belize, and the Belize National Meteorological Service, are continuously providing real-time updates through their official channels to ensure residents remain informed.
Businesses in the Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize Districts (including San Pedro and Caye Caulker) were advised to consider remaining closed today to ensure the safety of their employees.
Essential services, such as security forces, medical personnel, media, port authorities, and fire services, remain operational.
Nadine made landfall at 16:00 UTC (11:00 local time) approximately 15 km (10 miles) southwest of Belize City (population 61 500) with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph), bringing tropical storm conditions to parts of Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.
The storm affected key areas such as Belize City, Half Moon Caye, and popular tourist destinations like San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Low-lying areas and parts of the Coastal Highway also faced flooding risks, while the storm’s impacts extended into northern Guatemala and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
The storm is expected to bring 100 – 200 mm (4 – 8 inches) of rainfall across northern Belize, northern Guatemala, and the southern states of Mexico from Quintana Roo westward to Veracruz. Isolated rainfall of up to 305 mm (12 inches) is possible in some areas through October 22.
Minor coastal flooding is expected within the warning area this afternoon, with storm surge generally less than 30 cm (1 foot) just north of the landfall area.
Regions under warning should expect tropical storm conditions through October 19, with minor coastal flooding possible in affected coastal areas.
After moving over Belize, the center of Nadine will enter northern Guatemala and move over southern Mexico through Sunday.
Nadine is now weakening and it will likely dissipate over southern Mexico by late Sunday.
However, Nadine’s remnants have a high chance of reforming in the eastern Pacific basin during the early to middle part of next week.
Belize is affected by tropical storms or hurricanes approximately once every 2 to 3 years, with about 50 tropical cyclones making landfall or affecting the country since 1900. Of the cyclones making landfall in Belize, most have been Category 1 to Category 3, though major hurricanes (Category 4 and above) have occurred, notably Category 5 Hurricane “Hattie” in 1961.
Hattie made landfall on October 31, with maximum sustained winds of 265 km/h (165 mph) near Belize City, causing widespread devastation and leading to over 300 deaths. Hattie nearly destroyed Belize City, prompting the government to relocate the capital inland to Belmopan.
Other notable landfalls in Belize include Hurricane “Keith” in 2000, a Category 4 storm that caused major flooding and destruction in Ambergris Caye, severely impacting tourism.
Hurricane “Iris” in 2001, another Category 4, devastated villages in southern Belize and resulted in 24 deaths, while Hurricane “Dean” in 2007, a Category 5, hit northern Belize, causing significant agricultural and infrastructural damage, though Mexico bore the brunt of the storm.
The last tropical cyclone to make landfall in Belize was Hurricane “Lisa” on November 2, 2022. Lisa was a Category 1 hurricane when it made landfall, causing significant flooding and damage to homes, infrastructure, and essential services in Belize City and surrounding areas.
References:
1 Tropical Storm Nadine Intermediate Advisory Number 4 – NWS/NHC – Released at 15:00 UTC on October 19, 2024
2 Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 4 – NWS/NHC – Released at 16:00 UTC on October 19, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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