Meteorological Warning

Accelerated trade winds and rains in the country this Friday

July 12, 2024

10:20 am

Diagnosis: Unstable atmospheric conditions persist in southern Central America, due to the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the drag of humidity from the Caribbean by the trade winds. This morning there has been variable cloudiness with scattered rain in the Caribbean and the Northern Zone, as well as in coastal areas of the South Pacific. The maximum amounts of precipitation recorded so far are between 5-20 mm.

Forecast: Variable weather conditions are projected for this Friday over the national territory. The trade wind will remain strong with occasional gusts in the Central Valley (35-45 km/h), Guanacaste (35-55 km/h) and in the mountain ranges of the country (60-70 km/h)

In the Caribbean and the Northern Zone, partly cloudy skies are expected in the morning with some intermittent rains of weak to moderate intensity. For the second half of the afternoon and the night period, an increase in cloud cover is expected, as well as an intensification of rains. Isolated heavy showers are expected, especially in mountainous areas and surrounding areas (places such as San Carlos, Sarapiquí, Pococí, Aguas Zarcas, Turrialba, among others) for this period. Maximum amounts between 40-70 mm with the possibility of values ​​greater than 90 mm localized.

For the Central Valley, the entry of cloudiness from the Caribbean maintains the probability of occasional rains in the north, central and east sectors, while in the west and south isolated showers are expected with the possibility of short-term storms. Maximum amounts estimated between 5-30 mm.

For the Central and South Pacific, there is a probability of scattered showers with thunderstorms mainly in the mountainous areas and surrounding areas, as well as in the vicinity of the border area with Panama (places such as Pérez Zeledón, Buenos Aires, San Marcos, San Vito, Laurel, among others). For the North Pacific, scattered rains are expected in the center and south of the Nicoya Peninsula and in the surrounding areas of the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges. Maximum amounts estimated between 25-50 mm

Warning: Special attention should be paid to the Caribbean and Northern regions because the rains of the last few hours keep the soils with high levels of saturation and this increases the vulnerability of the area.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

Caution due to sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.
Prevention in the event of an electrical storm and seeking shelter in a safe place in the event of strong gusts of wind occurring or perceived near the 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 media: Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR and the WEBSITE: www.imn.ac.cr

Roberto Vindas

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN

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