Richard Moves Toward Belize

Tropical Storm Richard continues to churn in the western Caribbean. Though thesystem will be moving over relatively warm waters the next 12-24 hours, thesystem's close interaction to land should inhibit any rapid intensification.Another possible inhibiting factor will be the drier air which exists in theextreme northwestern Caribbean near Belize.

Richard will impact southern and central Belize later Sunday evening andnight as a strong tropical storm. It is possible the system strengthens to aminimal hurricane, though the impacts will generally be the same. Gusty windsand heavy rains will batter the northern Honduras coast Saturday night andSunday. Deteriorating conditions will be felt along the Belize coast laterSunday into Sunday night.

Weakening of Richard is expected upon landfall, with unfavorable conditionsfor strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico.