Weather Warning

Indirect influence of Tropical Storm Rafael

November 04, 2024

4:50 p.m.

Diagnosis: Tropical Storm Rafael is now located 688 km east-northeast of the northern tip of the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. According to the NOAA National Hurricane Center, the system will continue to strengthen as it moves north-northwest, towards Jamaica and western Cuba, with a speed of 15 km/h and maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h.

During this Monday, this disturbance presents a flow of humid winds from the Pacific Ocean towards our country, with the presence of variable and intermittent rains for regions of the Central Pacific, South and Central Valley, along with showers with downpours and occasional storms in parts of the North Pacific, Northern Zone and specifically in the western Caribbean. The most significant accumulations in the last 12 hours are: 85 mm in Tamarindo, 60 mm in Santa Cruz, 50 mm in Paquera, 40 mm in Cabo Blanco, 50 mm in Upala, 35 in San Carlos and values ​​between 15 - 35 mm for mountainous areas of the Caribbean, the east-north of the Central Valley and other regions of the Central and South Pacific.

Forecast: Intermittent rains and cloudy conditions will continue throughout the day in areas of the Central Pacific and mountains of the South Pacific, with amounts between 20 mm and 60 mm and maximums of 80 mm in 12-hour periods. In the plains of the North Pacific, the Nicoya Peninsula and Pacific coasts, the occurrence of rains and showers is possible (especially in the late afternoon and evening hours), with similar average amounts, but with local maximums above 80 mm.

In the Central Valley, cloudy conditions and scattered light rains are expected during the afternoon and evening. The estimated amounts in 12-hour periods are between 15 mm and 50 mm.

During the afternoon and early evening, showers and thunderstorms are possible in the Caribbean and mountains of the Northern Zone. Heavy rains of short duration are likely in these areas, and it is possible that part of the rains will reach nearby plains. Estimated amounts are between 10 mm and 40 mm, with maximums located between 40 mm and 70 mm.

The indirect influence of this tropical cyclone on Costa Rica will be present until Tuesday, with the possibility of extending to Wednesday in the North Pacific.

Warning: Saturated soils are present in most of the mountainous regions along with low-lying areas of the Pacific. Special attention should be paid to high saturation levels in the Central/South Pacific, the mountainous Central Valley and the Nicoya Peninsula, areas where the largest number of incidents due to local damage are reported.

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 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

Jose Valverde Mora

Forecaster

DMSA-IMN

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