Tropical Storm Nadine Poised to Drench Belize and Southern Mexico

Tropical Storm Nadine is anticipated to bring substantial rainfall and strong winds as it makes landfall later on Saturday. The storm is expected to inundate Belize and southern Mexico with heavy precipitation, a mere hours after being named by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Tropical Storm Warnings are currently in effect stretching from Belize City in Belize to the well-known Mexican vacation destinations of Cancun and Cozumel. Previously identified as Potential Tropical Cyclone 15 by the NHC, Nadine was situated just off Belize’s coastline early Saturday morning, exhibiting peak sustained winds of 45 miles per hour.

According to FOX Weather reports, Nadine is predicted to progress inland over Central America by midday Saturday, bringing gusty winds and significant rainfall. A notable wind gust of 51 miles per hour was recorded in Cancun as Nadine advanced on Saturday morning. While winds are not expected to pose a severe threat, the potential for severe flooding is high with this storm.

The rainfall forecast from Tropical Storm Nadine indicates widespread precipitation totals of 5 to 8 inches across Belize, northern Guatemala, and the southern Mexican states from Quintana Roo extending westward to Veracruz, lasting into the early part of next week. “A couple of locations could experience rainfall up to a foot, particularly in mountainous regions where orographic lift is prevalent,” explained meteorologist Minar. “This could lead to localized floods, possibly even triggering mudslides and landslides.”

The storm is anticipated to weaken gradually as it journeys across northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico from Saturday afternoon into the evening. “This is not expected to be a long-lived tropical storm,” commented a FOX Weather Meteorologist. “It is likely to diminish by Saturday night as it shifts substantial rainfall across portions of Central America. Models show consistent predictions that the system will continue to progress across southern Mexico and Central America, possibly ending in the eastern Pacific.”

The disturbance does not pose a threat to the United States. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist indicated that adverse atmospheric conditions over Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico are forecasted to prevent any potential tropical systems from threatening the U.S. in the near term.