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So even though we have been spared so far this season by Tropical Storms Alex, Karl and Matthew- this one is a very real threat. According to the weatherman there are strong indications of it becoming a hurricane by Saturday. What does this mean for Belize? And should we be getting prepare to weather another storm over the weekend? Today Seven News took a visit to the met office to get some answers.

Dennis Gonguez, Chief Meteorologist
"Last night at 9 pm the 19th tropical depression form for this season and that was located about 160 miles south of the Cayman Islands. By 9 am this morning it had intensified and became this 17th tropical storm of this season and name Richard. Presently it's about 525 miles east south east of Belize City and at 9 o' clock it was specifically located at latitude 16.2 north 80.4 west. Maximum sustain winds of 40 miles per hour and it was moving towards the south east at 6 miles per hour. Presently it is moving towards the southeast but its forecast to take a more southerly track and eventually a more north westerly track. That puts us pretty much in its path over this weekend. The first indications are that the storm will travel toward the north of Belize but then again those forecasts can change with each update. One of the issues with this system is that presently the way its behaving is as though it adjusting itself and pointing directly at us. Indications are that it will be a hurricane by Saturday morning off the northeast tip of Honduras. So the season isn't over we still have a long ways to go so we should remain vigilant and be prepared for any eventuality."

Monica Bodden
"Mr. Gonguez following a pattern with storms in October. Are storms in October considered to be erratic."

Dennis Gonguez, Chief Meteorologist
"Yea they do, the steering currents are usually weak in October and that's why this one here has been behaving a bit erratic it's heading towards the south east now eventually heading south and turning towards the North West. So the steering is usually weak during this time of the year. We need to watch this system for the weekend, we need to remain vigilant, this system could pose a threat to affect us this weekend so we need to be very vigilant of where this system is going and whether it intensifies."

In the 6:00 pm report issued by the National Hurricane Center - Tropical Storm Richard moving south-southeast at a mere two miles per hour with winds of 40 miles per hour - which means the storm ahs not strengthened since it was upgraded to a storm earlier today.

THE GOVERNMENT OF HONDURAS HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WATCH FOR THE COAST OF HONDURAS FROM THE NICARAGUA/HONDURAS BORDER WESTWARD TO LIMON. v A tropical storm watch is in effect for Houndras from the Nicaragua Honduras Border westward to Limon.

The National Meteorological Services say they will continue to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Richard.