Weather Warning

Chance of heavy thundershowers this afternoon in Costa Rica

May 22, 2024

9.30 a.m.

Diagnosis: This Wednesday, the Intertropical Convergence Zone is located off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, increasing atmospheric instability in the national territory. Therefore, isolated but intense downpours with thunderstorms are expected in the national territory for this afternoon and early evening.

Forecast: The areas with the highest probability of heavy rains are the Central Pacific, the South Pacific and the mountainous sectors of the Caribbean as well as the North and East (Cartago province) of the Central Valley. Accumulated amounts are estimated between 30 mm and 60 mm, with maximum accumulated amounts between 80 mm and 100 mm.

In the rest of the country, rainfall will be more isolated and the estimated amounts will be between 20 mm and 40 mm. Rains are expected to continue in the early evening, mainly in the Pacific coast.

Warning: Attention in the cantons of Parrita, Quepos and Osa, due to the saturation of the soil by the rains of the previous day. In the mountain passes in the mountainous sectors of the Caribbean and the north of the Central Valley, as there could be small landslides on the road. In general, be alert to the development of storm clouds, which present their own significant characteristics such as descending gusts, high precipitation intensity in short periods of time and electrical discharges.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution for sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.
• Prevention before thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe place in case of strong gusts of wind 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 networks, Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR and WEB Page: www.imn.ac.cr

 
Juan Diego Naranjo Díaz
Meteorologist
DMSA-IMN