Weather Warning

Cold Surge #19 Influence

February 25, 2024

11.45 am

Diagnosis: The displacement of cold surge # 19 (CS) over Central America and the Caribbean Sea has been generating northerly winds since last night, with maximum gusts that vary depending on the region of the country as detailed below: North Pacific 93 km/h in La Cruz, Central Valley 59.6 km/h in Piedades de Santa Ana, North Zone 50.4 km/h Poás Volcano, Central and South Pacific 66 km/h in Cerro Chirripó and Caribe 27.6 km/h in Horquetas.

Precipitation is recorded of weak intensity in the early morning of Limón and the Northern Zone, with accumulated amounts of less than 20 mm.

While temperatures remain cool in Cartago and San José due to the cloud cover that moves from the Central Volcanic mountain range towards these urban centers, at the time of this notice they are recorded: 15.5°C and 19.4°C respectively, with a thermal sensation of 10.4°C and 15.2°C.

Forecast: Cold surge #19 will continue to advance through Central America and the Caribbean Sea today, Sunday, and during the beginning of next week.

Today specifically, moderate to strong winds are expected throughout the day and night in the center and north of the country, as well as in the mountain ranges. Gusts are estimated to 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 between 70-95 km/h, gusts greater than 100 km/h could occur occasionally in the north of Guanacaste tonight.

Regarding precipitation, the pattern of drizzle will continue in the mountains of the Caribbean and the Northern Zone this afternoon, although we could perceive weak rains during the night and early hours of Monday in the coastal Caribbean, with accumulated between 10- 35 mm in periods of 6-12 hours.

Part of the cloud layer will continue to be positioned over the east and north of the Central Valley, causing scattered light drizzle. For the rest of the country, no precipitation related to this CS is expected.

As has been mentioned, the front and the cold mass of this CS will not reach our country. Therefore, the sensation of a decrease in maximum temperatures that occurs in the GAM is due to cloud cover and the fresh north wind. Given this, sectors such as Cartago and San José will continue with a cool afternoon. Daytime temperatures in these cantons are expected to begin to rise tomorrow, Monday.

Current analyzes indicate that strong winds will extend to the center and north of the country 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