Weather Warning

Strong instability in the east of the Central American Tropical Pacific near our country

October 15, 2023

10:20 a.m.

Diagnosis: The Intertropical Convergence Zone maintains high instability throughout the eastern Central American Tropical Pacific and near Costa Rica. Since morning, cloudiness has increased and there have been occasional showers, both on the Nicoya Peninsula and around the Golfo Dulce, with accumulated amounts of less than 25 mm.

Forecast: During the remainder of the morning there will be occasional showers at points along the Pacific coastline and near both peninsulas. Towards noon and afternoon hours, cloud formations in mountainous sectors of the Pacific slope and the Central Valley will present scattered showers with accumulated amounts between 25 – 40 mm with very specific maximums of 60 mm.

It is forecast that towards the end of the afternoon and mainly in the night period, heavy downpours with occasional storms will occur again in: the South Pacific, Osa Peninsula, coastal Central Pacific, Nicoya Peninsula and sectors to the east-northeast near the Gulf from Nicoya. The estimated accumulations will be between 30 – 60 mm with specific maximums between 80 – 100 mm.

For the North Zone and Central Valley, the presence of this type of precipitation is expected towards the center, south and west, with accumulated amounts between 15 – 45 mm and maximum peaks of up to 60 mm.

The Caribbean regions will present showers with a short-duration storm, isolated in western sectors and mountainous parts. The accumulated ones will be 15 – 45 mm.

Warning: Special attention in the Nicoya Peninsula, the Tempisque plains, around the Golfo Dulce, mountains in the North, mountainous sectors of the South Pacific and surroundings of the Central Valley (north and west), since they have saturated soils and increase the risk to possible incidents. High probability of possible rains in recurring sectors.

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 between 80 to 100km/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.

Jose Pablo Valverde Mora

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN