Weather Warning

Heavy rain on the Pacific slope

May 09, 2024

9:30 a.m.

Diagnosis: The atmospheric instability in our region is associated with the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, especially over Costa Rica. This favors the occurrence of heavy rainfall, especially during the afternoon and early evening in sectors of the Pacific slope. During the early hours of the day there has been no significant rainfall.

Forecast: During the morning the entry of humidity will be accentuated and, therefore, the development of cloudiness on both slopes. Starting in the afternoon period, the presence of heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorms is forecast, being more significant for the North Pacific (especially around the Gulf of Nicoya and mountains to the southeast) and the Central Pacific; These will develop first in mountains and later towards coastal sectors. The amounts accumulated in 12 hours will be between 45 - 65 mm with specific maximums between 65 - 105 mm.
In the case of the Central Valley and towards the central and mountainous west of the Northern Zone and Caribbean regions, occasional showers and downpours with localized storms are estimated. The estimated accumulated amounts will be between 15 - 30 mm with localized maximums of up to 60 mm. The South Pacific will present scattered showers and storms with amounts similar to the Caribbean and Northern Zone.

It is estimated that, for the beginning of the night, isolated downpours will continue around both gulfs, along the coasts of the Central Pacific.

Warning: Attention in sectors of the North Pacific (around the Gulf of Nicoya and the mountainous southeast), Central Pacific and South Pacific due to humid soils both in low parts and especially in mountainous areas. Be attentive to the development of storm clouds which present their own and significant characteristics such as descending gusts, high precipitation intensity in short periods of time and electrical discharges.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to sewage saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.
• Prevention against electrical storms and seeking shelter in a safe place in case strong gusts of wind occur or are perceived 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: National Meteorological Institute CR and the WEB Page: www.imn.ac.cr

Paulo Solano
Meteorologist
DMSA-IMN

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Weather Report N°1

Variable precipitation in the Caribbean, the Northern Zone and parts of the Pacific

April 9th, 2024

3:00 p.m.

Diagnosis: The constant entry of humidity from the Caribbean Sea and the unstable atmosphere near Costa Rica due to the proximity of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, has generated variable rainfall in the morning for the Caribbean regions and the Northern Zone, in addition to downpours with storm located in parts of the Pacific slope and Central Valley. For the last 6 hours, there have been records of between 10 - 45 mm in the Northern Zone, between 20 - 50 mm with specific maximums of up to 70 mm (Limón, Cahuita) for the Caribbean regions. As for the regions on the Pacific slope, all have accumulations of less than 25 mm.

The highest wind gusts recorded are present in the mountain ranges and low sectors of the North Pacific, with intensities between 40 km/h and 65 km/h.

Forecast: During the rest of the afternoon, variable rains will continue in the Caribbean regions and the Northern Zone, with estimated amounts in 6 hours between 5 mm and 50 mm. On the other hand, downpours with occasional storms are expected in the mountains - locally in low parts and near the coasts of the Pacific slope - with estimated accumulations in 6 hours of between 20 to 50 mm with specific maximums of up to 70 mm.

A rebound in rainfall is again forecast for Wednesday on the Caribbean slope and dispersed during the afternoon period in the Pacific regions.

Warning: Special attention in the Caribbean and Northern Zone due to the high flow in streams and rivers due to the rains of the last few hours, in addition to saturated soils in mountainous parts such as Route 32. On the other hand, because rains are estimated near the Limón International Airport from today until this Wednesday, there is a high probability of flooding for said sector.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution about overflowing streams and small rivers in places prone to this type of flooding.

• Prevention against electrical storms and seeking shelter in a safe place in case strong gusts of wind occur or are perceived near storm clouds, due to the possible fall of tree branches, power lines, among others.

• Stay informed through social networks, Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: National Meteorological Institute CR and the WEB Page: www.imn.ac.cr

Next report: Today Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Jose Pablo Valverde Mora

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN

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