The tropical hurricane zone is hyperactive right now, with four named storms and one developing system out there.
But, of greatest concern right now to the Caribbean is Tropical Storm Isaac, which is tonight heading for the lesser Antilles. The storm has been on a westerly track from it became organized into a syStem - and that is expected to continue leading it right to the area between Nicaragua and Belize.
But, while that's the bad news, the good news is that the system does not seem to be developing. Derrick Rudon at the MET Office told us more:..
Derick Rudon- Deputy Chief Meteorology
"We are at the peak of the season; the peak is in September. So, that is when you see the most storms around and that is exactly the case this year. We should be watching Isaac because forecast brings it into the Caribbean on a straight westward track. The only thing is that the official forecast is for it to dissipate before it reaches the north-west Caribbean."
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"However, if we watch the four day track, it says that by the time it reaches around Jamaica, south of Jamaica, it will have weakened. How do we interpret that? Usually as storms go along, they gain strength."
Derick Rudon
"Well, sometimes they gain strength, sometimes they weaken. It all depends on the conditions that they are encountering. And this storm is already encountering hostile conditions in the atmosphere."
Jules Vasquez
"So, how concerned should average citizens be about it, in terms of making a preparedness plan and also assessing what they will be doing early next week? What movements they will be making if any?"
Derick Rudon
"Well, I think the citizens of Belize should monitor the progress of this storm. If it changes, if the forecast is wrong and it comes towards us then it will be like Monday or Tuesday of next week."
Jules Vasquez
"However, the forecast modules are saying that it is not predicted to become a hurricane if and when it makes land fall on the Central American isthmus."
Derick Rudon
"Right, in fact some of the modules dissipated totally before it reaches that area that you are talking about, west of 80 west; so, some of them dissipated totally before it reaches the north-west Caribbean which is west of 80."
Jules Vasquez
"Certainly by Sunday we will have an extremely clear picture of what it will or won't do, in terms of the threat assessment?"
Derick Rudon
"By then, if it follows the forecast, it would have dissipated."
We will keep monitoring this storm closely. As of 6:00 pm, the maximum winds were still 60 miles per hour.
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