Weather Warning (Update)

Rainy conditions in the Caribbean due to Cold Surge #18

February 20, 2024

5:00 p.m.

Diagnosis: Cold Surge #18 and a high humidity content in the atmosphere maintain favorable conditions for the development of rains of varying intensity during the night of this Tuesday and during the early morning and morning hours of Wednesday, February 21. As of 7:00 am today, the most significant accumulations cover maximum ranges of 38 mm in San Carlos (Northern Zone) and ranges between 15 mm to 50 mm presented in the North Caribbean and South Caribbean.

In addition to this, the high levels of atmospheric pressure allow the presence of accelerated trade winds with strong to very strong gusts in the North Pacific, Central Valley and mountains of the country. The maximum gusts were recorded at the following points: La Cruz and Bagaces between 95 km/h to 101 km/h, ranges between 45 km/h to 70 km/h in other points of the North Pacific, between 80 km/h to 87 km/h in mountains of the South Pacific and ranges between 45 km/h to 69 km/h in the Central Valley.

Forecast: From tonight until next Wednesday a windy pattern will continue in the country, very strong to intense gusts of wind (between 70 km/h to 100 km/h) are expected in the North Pacific, strong to very strong gusts (between 50 km/h to 70 km/h) in the Central Valley, in mountainous sectors of the Central Pacific and South Pacific there will be very strong gusts (between 65 km/h to 90 km/h). Windy conditions will vary in intensity throughout the day on Thursday, still maintaining moderate trade winds with the possibility of moderate to strong gusts.

Regarding precipitation and cloudiness, it is forecast that the Caribbean and Northern Zone regions will be cloudy with rain throughout the night of this Tuesday and during the early morning and morning hours of Wednesday, with accumulated amounts of rain between 20 mm and 45 mm in general and maximum accumulated values located between 60 mm to 95 mm near and on the mountains of the North Caribbean, South Caribbean, the Limón coast and towards the border sectors of Sixaola and Talamanca mountains, all this in a period of 12 hours . Part of this precipitation could reach the mountains, to the east and north of the Central Valley in the form of drizzle. Isolated showers may occur in the South Pacific during the afternoon period on Wednesday, especially near the coast. In the rest of the regions, no rain is estimated.

From Wednesday to Thursday, a decrease in maximum temperatures is expected, due to cloud cover and the fact that the cold mass could approach the north of the country. The latest analyzes carried out show that a reduction of 3 °C to 6 °C may occur in the North Zone and the Caribbean; and between 2 °C to 4 °C in the Central Valley and mountainous sectors.

The influence of Cold Surge #18 is expected to gradually decrease during the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, February 21, where the country will stop experiencing precipitation associated with the system on Thursday, February 22.

Warning: Special attention due to very strong gusts of wind in the North Pacific and the Central Valley and rain in the Caribbean mountains.

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

Paulo Solano
Meteorologist
DMSA-IMN