Aviso Meteorológico

Increasing rainy conditions on this Wednesday

August 7, 2024

10.00 a.m.

Discussion: The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shows greater activity on this day, located in the south of Central America. This has generated a more humid and unstable environment, causing cloud nuclei near the coasts of the national territory and precipitation in the province of Puntarenas, as well as in the Caribbean and Northern Zone, generating accumulations between 5-25 mm in the last 3 hours.

Forecast: For the rest of the morning, partial to total cloud cover will continue across the country. Rain will be present in the Caribbean (especially the northern part) and the Northern Zone, as well as in the Nicoya Peninsula and the Central Pacific. Amounts of 25-50 mm are expected.

During the afternoon and most of the night, it will be mostly cloudy in the country with rainy activity of varying intensity. In the Central Valley, the North Zone and the Caribbean, moderate and occasionally heavy rains are expected with possible thunderstorms, amounts between 25-50 mm; maximums between 50-70 mm. For the Pacific regions, heavy rains and downpours with thunderstorms are expected, with accumulated amounts of 40-80 mm, with possible higher amounts in a localized manner. Possibility of fog banks in GAM and mountainous areas at the end of the afternoon and beginning of the night.

Regarding Tropical Wave (OT) #23 advancing over Panama, this system is expected to make its way to Costa Rica on Thursday. The interaction of this wave with low pressure systems associated with the ITCZ will favor a rainy outlook in Costa Rica between Wednesday and Thursday, with greater emphasis on the Pacific regions. This system will continue its path toward the northwest of Central America and the west of the Caribbean Sea, with a very low probability (10% at 7 days according to the NHC) of cyclogenizing by the end of the week. If the above occurs, this disturbance would not affect the country.

Warning: High soil saturation in the North Zone, Caribbean regions, South Pacific and Nicoya Peninsula, which increases vulnerability in these sectors. In addition, in urban areas, sewer saturation could cause flash flooding.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Be careful due to sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.
• Be prepared for 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

Rebeca Morera R
Meteorologist/DMSA-IMN