Weather Warning

Variable rains during the afternoon on Monday and the passage of the tropical wave this Tuesday

May 12, 2025

03:40 p.m.

Diagnosis: The increase in moisture content from both sides, combined with local factors such as Pacific breezes and high daytime temperatures, have favored the presence of heavy downpours with thunderstorms over the Central Valley, the Central Pacific, around the Golfo Dulce, and over the southern mountains of the North Caribbean and Northern Zone. Accumulated rainfall over the last 6 hours for these regions is between 15 and 40 mm, with highs of 60 mm.

Forecast: During the afternoon, rain and showers with thunderstorms are expected around the Nicoya Peninsula, the Central Pacific, and the South Pacific. These rains may be heavy in localized areas and may also spread to western areas and along the coasts during the late afternoon and early evening, with accumulated rainfall between 20 and 65 mm, with the possibility of higher rainfall over 6-hour periods. In the Central Valley, variable rainfall with occasional thunderstorms is expected, with similar amounts. In areas west of the Caribbean and the Northern Zone, scattered showers with accumulated rainfall between 10 mm and 40 mm are expected.

Tropical Wave 1 will pass over the country on Tuesday, beginning early this morning with scattered showers in the Northern Caribbean and Northern Zone, and isolated showers along the coasts of the Southern Caribbean. Later in the afternoon, the Central Pacific, South Pacific, and Nicoya Peninsula will experience showers with thunderstorms. The Central Valley will experience rain in the east, with showers and thunderstorms in the west. 

Warning: Moderate soil saturation persists in the South Pacific and Central Pacific. Be aware of the presence of a strong storm, where intense rain in short periods, lightning, and downpours are present in these events.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to sewer saturation in areas prone to this type of flooding.

• Prepare for thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe place if strong wind gusts occur or are perceived near storm clouds, due to the possible fall of tree branches, power lines, etc. These gusts can reach 80 km/h in some isolated cases.

• Stay informed through social media: Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR, and the website:www.imn.ac.cr

Jose Valverde Mora.

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN