Belize hosts opening ceremony of Hurricane Awareness Tour with Arrival of Hurricane Hunters

Belize today hosted the opening ceremony for the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour 2026 as the country prepares for the next hurricane season.  The ceremony was held this morning at the Department of Civil Aviation compound at the Philip Goldson International Airport, marking the visit of the United States Air Force’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, widely known as the “Hurricane Hunters.” The specialized aircraft, which arrived in Belize yesterday, is typically deployed during active storms, making today’s engagement a rare educational opportunity outside of an emergency.  The event, organized by the National Meteorological Service of Belize in collaboration with the Department of Civil Aviation, brought together key stakeholders in weather monitoring and disaster risk management.  Among those addressing the gathering was Lieutenant Colonel David Gentile, Commander of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, who highlighted Belize’s partnership with the Hurricane Hunters programme and the critical role the aircraft plays in gathering real-time storm data to improve forecasting and response.

David Gentile, Commander of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron: “It’s really our pleasure to be with you here and to demonstrate the partnership between NOAA and the United States and the country of Belize to improve the forecast and the warnings and the hazard information for hurricanes that unfortunately are a big part of the threats that face this Caribbean region. Belize is vulnerable to the storm surge, the heavy rainfall, the winds, all of those hazards. And in addition, we’re hosting a regional storm surge workshop in and Belize this week to raise awareness of that hazard to a group of forecast and warning of that dangerous hazard that is such a big part of hurricane risk here. But I also want to mention again the fact that the aircraft is here and it’s a great demonstration of the value of the data, the direct measurements that those brave men and women aboard that aircraft provide directly to us at the Hurricane Center telling us where a storm is located, how strong it is, how big it is, that data comes to us in real time, is used directly by our forecasters. It also improves the model guidance we use to predict the track, the size, the strength of these storms by 10 to 20 percent, and improve the forecast that we can then provide to the Belize Met Service that they can then turn into watches and warnings and actionable information across the Government of Belize for the population here. And finally, just a message of preparedness. We are 46 days away from the start of the 2026 hurricane season. Belize is vulnerable throughout the entire season. From June through November, the waters of the Caribbean are warm. We can have storms form nearby and that can affect the area with very short notice. So it’s important now, in these upcoming several weeks, six to seven weeks before the start of hurricane season, to have that hurricane plan in place. Take those personal preparations you need to do for yourself and your family. Know where you’re going to go if you’re asked to evacuate to leave your home, especially if you’re at storm surge risk and have that emergency supply kit, food, water, medicine, everything else you’re going to need to keep you and your family safe for several days in the aftermath of the storm.”

These aircrafts are specially equipped to fly directly into hurricanes, collecting vital data such as wind speed, air pressure, temperature, and humidity. Using advanced tools, including dropsondes released into storms, the crews provide forecasters with precise information that improves hurricane tracking and intensity predictions, often proving critical for early warnings and emergency planning.  Also addressing the ceremony was U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Katherine Beamer, who emphasized the importance of preparedness at both the national and household levels, especially with the Atlantic hurricane season set to begin in 46 days.

Katharine Beamer, US Chargé d’Affaires to Belize: “On behalf of the US Mission to Belize I really want to deeply thank our partners at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Meteorological Service of Belize, the Ministry of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, the Department of Civil Aviation, and of course the brave men and women of the US Air Force’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the Hurricane Hunters, for bringing this vital program to Belize. With hurricane season fast approaching we have a shared purpose to prepare, protect, and build resilience in our communities. Hurricanes are among the most serious challenge facing our region. They test our institutions, our infrastructure, and our ability to protect our people. Preparing for these storms is why we’re here today. The devastation we witnessed in recent years in Belize, in the United States, and throughout of the region reminds us that preparedness isn’t optional. It saves lives. This is where this amazing aircraft and its crew truly makes a difference. In order to gather critical data that helps forecasters predict a hurricane’s path and intensity, these hurricane hunters fly directly into powerful storms. They obtain information that gives governments time to mobilize resources, gives families time to evacuate, and provides communities precious time to secure those things that matter most. It’s science in the service of safety. Today’s tour though is about more than technology and meteorology. It’s about people. It’s about ensuring that when the next storm approaches we’re ready. I encourage everyone here to take what you learned today back to your communities. Share it widely. Prepare your family. Check with your neighbors. Together we can reduce the impact of these storms and protect what matters most, each other.”

During his presentation, Minister of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, Henry Charles Usher, stressed on the importance of collaboration and readiness in order to build resilience against increasingly active hurricane seasons.  Following the formal ceremony, invited guests participated in a guided tour of the Hurricane Hunters aircraft, offering a firsthand look at the technology and operations behind one of the world’s most critical storm-monitoring missions.  The Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour is an annual initiative aimed at promoting public education and strengthening partnerships between regional governments and international agencies