Weather Warning

Rainy conditions in the Caribbean and Northern Zone this Tuesday and Tropical Wave #12

Jul 01th, 2025

10 am

Diagnosis

The strengthening of the trade winds over the central and northern regions of the country has produced wind gusts of up to 50 km/h in areas such as Alajuela this morning. This condition, combined with atmospheric instability associated with Tropical Wave #12 — currently located west of Panama — is favoring rainfall of varying intensity, ranging from moderate to heavy, accompanied by thunderstorms, especially in the Caribbean (mainly Limón) and the Northern Zone.

Light rain has also been reported in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range and in parts of the eastern and northern Central Valley. Rainfall totals over the past 8 hours have ranged between 10 and 50 mm.

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Forecast

Rainfall activity is expected to continue throughout the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, with the greatest impact in the Northern Zone, Caribbean, and the country's main mountain ranges, especially in central and northern areas. Rainfall accumulations in these regions, including the Central Volcanic Mountain Range and the Tilarán and Guanacaste ranges, are estimated between 50 and 80 mm over 12 to 24-hour periods.

Additionally, isolated but intense downpours may occur in mountainous areas of the Central and Southern Pacific regions, with estimated accumulations between 15 and 50 mm. During the night, moderate rainfall is expected to persist in the northern part of the country, especially in the mountains of Guanacaste and the Northern Zone, with accumulations between 30 and 80 mm.

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About Tropical Wave #12

The axis of this tropical wave is expected to cross the country between this afternoon and evening. However, its most significant effects are forecast for Wednesday, with heavy morning rainfall in the Caribbean and Northern Zone, and in the afternoon over the Pacific and Central Valley.

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Warning

Current soil saturation levels range between 60% and 85% in areas around the canton of Osa, the mountains of the Southern and Central Pacific, and the Nicoya Peninsula. In the Northern Zone and the Caribbean, saturation is very high, ranging from 65% to 100%.

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IMN Recommendations

• Exercise caution in areas prone to flooding due to poor drainage systems or blocked sewers.

• Take preventive measures against thunderstorms: if storms occur or strong gusts are felt near storm clouds, seek shelter in a safe place, as falling branches, power lines, or other debris may occur. In isolated cases, wind gusts could reach up to 80 km/h.

• Stay informed through official IMN channels:

  • Twitter: @IMNCR

  • Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR

  • Website: www.imn.ac.cr

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MSc. Gabriela Chinchilla R.
Meteorologist / DMSA - IMN

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Weather Warning

Strong winds for this Wednesday

February 14, 2024

8:40 a.m.

Diagnosis: Cold Surge #17 maintains high levels of atmospheric pressure in the Caribbean Sea basin. Windy conditions have been recorded during the early morning and morning of this Wednesday, the strongest gusts have been recorded in the north of Guanacaste, which have reached 87.7 km/h in La Cruz, 84.1 km/h in Volcán Orosi and 83.7 km/h h in Guayabo. Additionally, in mountains of the Central Valley between 65 km/h and 78.8 km/h, 64.4 km/h in Belén and 63.9 km/h in Pavas, among others.

Forecast: Windy conditions and strong to very strong gusts will continue this Wednesday in the center and north of the country. Strong gusts of intensity (40-60 km/h) are anticipated for the Central Valley and lower sectors of Guanacaste, as well as very strong gusts (70-90 km/h) for northern Guanacaste and the mountains. These conditions are expected to continue until early Friday. During the period from Friday to Saturday, a gradual reduction in wind is expected.

Stable conditions and little precipitation remain for this day. Only the development of occasional rain would be possible during the late afternoon and evening hours in the Northern Zone and Caribbean regions. The amounts should not exceed 15 mm in 12 hour periods.

It is necessary to clarify that no influence on temperatures is observed due to Cold Thrust #17 because the cold and dry mass associated with the frontal system is located north of Central America and over the Gulf of Mexico.

Warning: Special attention due to very strong gusts of wind in the North Pacific and the Central Valley. Special attention also in the mountainous sectors of the Caribbean and Northern Zone due to the saturation of the soils caused by the persistence of rains in recent days.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Prevention of wind gusts and their possible impact on roofs, electrical wiring, signs, trees; as well as in the mountainous parts of the country and Guanacaste (national parks, volcanoes).
• Caution in air navigation due to increased turbulence, as well as in maritime navigation due to increased rough seas, especially in the North Pacific, Gulf of Nicoya and northern Central Pacific.
• Avoid burning of all types, as they can get out of control.
• Stay informed through social networks, Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: National Meteorological Institute CR and the WEB Page: www.imn.ac.cr

Paulo Solano
Meteorologist
DMSA-IMN

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