Weather Warning

Scattered heavy downpours with thunderstorms this Saturday

May 17, 2025

10:20 a.m.

Forecast: The passage of Tropical Wave 2, along with local factors such as humid breezes from both sides and warm temperatures, will favor scattered showers and thunderstorms this Saturday afternoon.

Forecast: During the afternoon, cloudy conditions will occur with scattered showers and thunderstorms. The regions likely to experience these conditions will be the mountains of the South and Central Pacific, the eastern and central Central Valley, and parts of the central and western North Pacific. The mountainous western Caribbean and the Northern Zone will experience isolated rainfall. Estimated accumulated rainfall is expected to be between 20 and 40 mm, with maximum rainfall between 60 and 80 mm. The effects of the wave are expected to be most evident in parts of the Nicoya Peninsula, toward the southeastern North Pacific (around the Gulf), and in the western Central Valley, where the strong storm is expected to produce accumulated rainfall close to 95 mm (3.7 in).

Warning: Special attention should be paid to areas where a strong storm is expected, with characteristics such as: heavy rain in short periods, lightning strikes, the possibility of downpours, and small hail. The rains of recent days have caused soil saturation to high levels, between 85% and 100%, in the South Pacific, Central Pacific mountains, the Sarapiquí Basin, and the Nicoya Peninsula; while in the Central Valley, it has reached around 70%. This situation increases the risk of flash flooding and/or landslides.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to sewer saturation in areas prone to this type of flooding.

• Prepare for thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe place if strong wind gusts occur or are perceived near storm clouds, due to the possible fall of tree branches, power lines, etc. 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

Jose Valverde Mora

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN

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