Showers with thunderstorms in the North Pacific

August 2, 2024

08:00 p.m.

Diagnosis: The entry of humidity from maritime sectors, together with the positioning of the Intertropical Convergence Zone close to the country, have favored during the afternoon and what we have of the night period of this Friday showers with thunderstorms in the North Pacific and sectors west of the Central Valley. The main accumulations of the last 6 hours are the following: Dulce Nombre in Nicoya with 76.8 mm, Cañas in Guanacaste with 66.6 mm, Santa Rita in Nandayure with 63.8 mm, Montaña Sagrada (Aguas Zarcas Landslide) with 42.4 mm, Tenorio Volcano with 38.4 mm, Balsa in San Ramón with 33.4 mm, Naranjo with 100.2 mm, Las Esferas in Osa with 21 mm, Montecarlo in Pérez Zeledón with 16.4 mm and Arunachala, Rio Nuevo in Pérez Zeledón with 16.2 mm.

Forecast: During the next 1-3 hours, showers with thunderstorms will continue in the North and Central Pacific, as well as some sectors west of the North Zone, with estimated amounts of 20-50 mm. This rainy activity would tend to decrease during the second half of the night period. During the early morning period, occasional rains could occur in the Caribbean and the Northern Zone, with estimated amounts of 10-20 mm.

This Saturday, the passage of tropical wave #22 is expected, although the cloudiness and instability associated with this system moves over the Greater Antilles, the effects of this extensive disturbance may cause an ideal environment for precipitation in the national territory; during the morning in the Caribbean and the Northern Zone, in the afternoon in regions of the Pacific and Central Valley.

Warning: High soil saturation remains in the Northern Zone, the Caribbean, South Pacific and the Nicoya Peninsula, increasing vulnerability in these sectors. In addition, in urban areas, sewer saturation could cause flash floods.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.
• Prevention against thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe place if 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: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR and the WEB Page: www.imn.ac.cr.

Andrés Gamboa

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN