Weather Warning

Cold Surge #19 Influence

February 24, 2024

11.30 am

Diagnosis: The displacement of cold surge # 19 (CS) over Central America and the Caribbean Sea, will be generating a gradual increase in the speed of winds with a North/Northeast component starting this Saturday night, being even more evident on the day Sunday.

Forecast: Moderate to strong winds are expected during the night of this Saturday in the north and center of the country. The winds will be strong this Sunday, gusts will range between 40-75 km/h in the Central Valley and lower parts of the North Pacific; While in the center/north of Guanacaste and the mountain ranges the gusts are estimated between 70-95 km/h, gusts greater than 100 km/h could occur occasionally in the north of Guanacaste.

Regarding precipitation, little rain is expected associated with this event, specifically there could be weak rain/drizzle in the Caribbean and the Northern Zone during the night and early hours of Sunday, with accumulated amounts between 5-30 mm. in periods of 6-12 hours. Part of the cloud layer may extend to the North and East of the Central Valley causing scattered light drizzle at night. For the rest of the country, no significant rainfall related to this CS is expected. Although it should be noted that this Saturday afternoon, isolated showers could develop in the mountains of the Central and South Pacific, as well as in the western periphery of the Central Valley due to the effects of moisture entering from the Pacific Ocean.

The front and the cold mass of this CS are not expected to reach the country, therefore, no significant decrease in temperatures is expected. It is only foreseeable, due to the effect of the north wind, a small decrease in maximum temperatures this Sunday and eventually on Monday.

Current analysis indicates that strong winds will continue for much of next week.

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

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

Gabriela Chinchilla Ramírez.

Meteoróloga

DMSA-IMN

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