Meteorological Warning Update

(Update) Showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and early morningmeras horas de la noche

May 8, 2025

6:00 pm

Forecast: Rainy conditions have been observed this afternoon on the Pacific coast, much of the Central Valley, and mountainous areas of the Caribbean and the Northern Zone, due to the activity of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Maximum rainfall is expected to range between 40-70 mm (1.6-2.7 in) in locations such as Ciudad Neily, San Mateo, Río Claro, Montecarlo (Pérez Zeledón), Naranjo, and Barva, among others. Landslides and flooding incidents have been reported in Desamparados and Palmares, Naranjo, Grecia, and Heredia.

Forecast: By late this afternoon, convective cores are observed around the Gulf of Nicoya, west of the Nicoya Peninsula, and around the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges. In addition, smaller, scattered cores are observed in other areas of the country, such as around Matapalo and Uvita, around the Golfo Dulce, around Upala, and areas west of the Northern Zone. Due to this, these regions are expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 2-4 hours.

Extensive cloud cover is also observed in the Central Valley, particularly in the western and northern areas. Light to moderate rainfall is expected over the next 1-3 hours. During the same period, the Caribbean regions may experience scattered rain in mountainous areas.

Warning: The rains of recent days have caused soil saturation to high levels, between 85% and 95%, in the South and Central Pacific; while in the Central Valley, the Sarapiquí Basin, and the Nicoya Peninsula, it has reached around 65%. This situation increases the risk of flash flooding and/or landslides.

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 detected near storm clouds, due to the potential for falling tree branches, power lines, and other conditions. 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

Roberto Vindas

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN

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