Weather Warning

Accelerated trade winds and displacement of Easterly Wave n.°19

July 13, 2024

10.30 a.m.

Diagnosis: During the first hours of this Saturday, a low concentration of Saharan dust was present over the national territory, and to a greater extent towards the center and north of Central America. The trade winds remain accelerated, with maximum gusts between 30 km/h and 45 km/h in low sectors of the Central Valley and Guanacaste, with maximums in the mountains and occasionally in Guanacaste between 60 km/h and 80 km/h.

Forecast: Numerical models indicate that the concentration of Saharan dust will decrease during the morning of this Saturday and it is not expected to occur during the rest of the weekend or the beginning of next week.

The trade winds will remain accelerated with occasional gusts in the Central Valley (35-50 km/h), Guanacaste (45-55 km/h) and in the mountain ranges of the country (60-80 km/h), especially during the night period. These gusts are in the range of moderate to very strong.

On the other hand, easterly wave n°19 is being monitored. This system is expected to enter the national territory during the early morning period on Sunday. Together with the accelerated trade winds and the drag of humidity from the Caribbean Sea, this system is expected to reinforce the rainfall during the early morning and tomorrow in sectors of the Caribbean and the Northern Zone.

Warning: Special attention in the regions of the Caribbean and the Northern Zone because the rains of previous days keep the soils with high levels of saturation and that increases the vulnerability of the area. Also, attention due to gusts of wind in the mountainous sectors, Guanacaste and in the Central Valley.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to saturation of sewers in places prone to this type of flooding.
• Prevention due to gusts of wind and their possible affectation of roofs, electrical wiring, signs, trees; as well as in the mountainous parts of the country and Guanacaste (national parks, volcanoes).
• Caution when navigating in the air due to increased turbulence.
• Prevention against thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe place if strong gusts of wind occur or are felt near storm clouds, due to the possible fall of tree branches, power lines, among others. These gusts can reach 80 km/h in some isolated cases.
• Stay informed through social networks, Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR and the WEB page: www.imn.ac.cr

Paulo Solano
Meteorologist
DMSA-IMN