First storm of Atlantic hurricane season forms off coast of Belize

May 31, 2008



The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season got off to an early start today when a tropical storm formed off the coast of Belize, one day before the season officially begins.

Tropical Storm Arthur formed Saturday afternoon and quickly made landfall at the Yucatan Peninsula, near the border between Belize and Mexico. Both countries issued a tropical storm warning for the peninsula's eastern coastline. In the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, ports were closed to small boats, water sports were banned, and those living in coastal areas were encouraged to take precautions.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida says that Arthur had a maximum sustained wind speed of 40 miles per hour (64 km/hr). These winds extend outward up to 260 miles (415 km) east of the storm's center. As of 5:00 pm EDT, the center of the storm is located 75 miles (125 km) northwest of Belize City.

The hurricane center is also expecting up to 10 inches of rain in parts of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, with isolated amounts of up to 15 inches. "These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides, especially in mountainous terrain," the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm is projected to weaken into a tropical depression Saturday night. But the National Hurricane Center says it will likely strengthen back into a tropical storm after reemerging into the Bay of Campeche on Sunday. Several Mexican oil fields are located in the Bay of Campeche, including one operated by the state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted a more active Atlantic hurricane season than normal, with up to 16 named storms and five hurricanes of Category 3 or above, which are classified as major hurricanes.