Weather Warning

Increase in trade winds for this Monday

March11, 2024

10:00 a.m.

Diagnosis: The presence of a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico and northern Central America, which precedes Cold Surge #20, is generating the increase in trade winds for today, Monday, in our country. So far there are records of gusts between 40 - 60 km/h in the Central Valley and central parts of the North Pacific, between 60 - 80 km/h over the mountain ranges and in the north-west of the North Pacific.

Forecast: The windy pattern and occasional strong gusts will continue this Monday and into Tuesday in the center and north of the national territory. Gusts between 40 - 60 km/h are forecast to continue for the Central Valley and lower sectors of Guanacaste, as well as very strong gusts between 70 - 90 km/h for the north of Guanacaste and over the mountains.

Due to the wind, the entry of clouds from the maritime sector to the Caribbean regions and eastern and mountainous parts of the Northern Zone will leave behind occasional scattered rains during the late afternoon and into the early hours of this Tuesday. The estimated amounts will be between 10 – 40 mm in periods of 12 hours. In the Central Valley, drizzle would occur in the high parts of the mountains to the north and east of the region.

Regarding maximum temperatures, these will be lower compared to those presented the previous week and especially on the sectors where the trade wind is accelerated and for Caribbean and Northern Zone sectors where cloud cover increases during periods of the day. However, in low sectors of the Pacific and near the coasts, high temperatures will always occur, but within normal limits for a warm month like March.

Warning: Special attention for occasional strong gusts of wind in the North Pacific and the Central Valley.

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

Jose Pablo Valverde Mora

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN