Weather Report #30

Rainfall intensity decreases in Costa Rica and tropical storm Sara begins to move toward Belize

November 16, 2024

4:00 p.m.

Diagnosis: Tropical Storm Sara slowly begins to head toward Belize at 7 km/h parallel to the coast of Honduras, and is forecast to make landfall during Sunday morning. Due to its size, it generates rainfall over most of Central America. In Costa Rica, the influence of this storm begins to gradually diminish as the system heads towards Belize; however, it continues to favor the entry of moisture from the Pacific Ocean, producing weak rains throughout the country.

In the last 6 hours, the rains have been weak and constant in the Pacific coast and the eastern sector of the Central Valley. The maximum rainfall recorded since the last report does not exceed 25 mm in the Pacific regions, with maximums in Puerto Jimenez (18 mm), Quepos (16 mm) and Bagaces (21 mm); in the Central Valley it does not exceed 18 mm, with the highest amounts in the mountains of Santa Ana (14 mm) and Ochomogo (17 mm). Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, amounts between 10 mm and 35 mm have been recorded, and in the Northern Zone, no significant rainfall has been recorded.

Forecast: By the end of the afternoon and during the night, weak, isolated and persistent rains are expected in Guanacaste, due to the entrance of clouds from the maritime sector in the next hours; part of these rains could reach the Central Pacific coast and the west of the Central Valley during the early hours of Sunday.

In the South Pacific, as well as in the Northern Zone and the Caribbean, scattered showers are expected in the mountains tonight, and the possibility of showers on the Pacific coast in the morning.

The estimated accumulated rainfall by region for the next 12 hours is detailed below:

- North Pacific: ranges between 40 mm and 60 mm, with local maximums of 80 mm on the coast.
- Central Pacific: ranges between 30 mm and 50 mm, with local maximums of 80 mm.
- South Pacific: ranges between 30 mm and 60 mm, with 80 mm maximums near the mountains.
- Central Valley: ranges between 10 mm and 20 mm, with maximums between 30 mm.
- North Caribbean and South Caribbean: ranges between 15 mm and 30 mm, with occasional highs of 40 mm.
- Northern Zone: ranges between 10 mm and 20 mm, with maximums of 30 mm in the plains.
It should be noted that higher amounts may be recorded locally in each respective region.

⚠ Attention: The rainy pattern due to the indirect influence of this tropical cyclone will remain until Sunday on the Pacific slope and parts of the Central Valley. However, for the regions that gradually leave the indirect influence, it is likely the occurrence of isolated showers in the afternoon.

Warning: Soil saturation remains high in most of the country, with saturation levels between 90% and 100%. Therefore, there is a high probability of flooding in vulnerable places, mainly in the lower regions of the Pacific, landslides in the Pacific mountains, in the west and east of the Central Valley, in the Northern Zone, in the Tilarán Mountain Range and in the western Caribbean.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

- Attention to the overflowing of streams and rivers with high flows.
- Be alert in places prone to landslides.
- 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
 
Next report: Saturday, November 16 at 10 p.m.
Juan Diego Naranjo Díaz
Meteorologist
DMSA-IMN