Weather Warning

Influence of Cold Surge #19 this Sunday and beginning of the week

April 13, 2025

09:30 a.m.

Diagnosis: The cold push #19 located in the center of the Caribbean Sea, maintains high atmospheric pressure values from the center to the north of the region. This favors the increase of trade winds for our country, with occasional maximum gusts between 30 - 60 km/h for the Central Valley, and between 50 - 80 km/h for the North Pacific (localized maximum of 89 km/h - La Cruz, Guanacaste). On the other hand, the Caribbean and Northern regions are mostly cloudy with occasional drizzle and variable rainfall, with accumulations in the last 24 hours between 5 - 20 mm for the Northern Caribbean and Northern Zone, while the Southern Caribbean has 15 - 30 mm with a localized maximum of 60 mm (Cahuita).

Forecast: The influence of the cold surge over the country will be modulating weather conditions, mainly this Sunday and Monday, gradually decreasing from Tuesday onwards.

Regarding the wind, during this Sunday, the strongest gusts are forecast to reach 80 to 95 km/h in the North Pacific, and between 40 to 70 km/h in the Central Valley, in the mountains and volcanoes of the country. Regarding rainfall this Sunday, cloudy conditions are forecast in the Caribbean and the Northern Zone, with variable rains in low parts of the province of Limón and rain-drizzle in most of the mountainous sectors of the Caribbean slope. Accumulated rainfall in 12 hours will be between 20 - 50 mm with occasional maximums of up to 80 mm. Drizzle in eastern sectors and over mountain passes in the Central Valley.

Regarding the Pacific, very isolated rains are expected in the mountains of the Central Pacific with showers near the Golfo Dulce in the South Pacific. Accumulated rainfall in 12 hours is forecast between 5 - 25 mm, with localized maximums of up to 45 mm.

Warning: Special attention in mountains and low parts of Guanacaste and Central Valley, due to the presence of strong gusts. Soil saturation levels remain high in parts of the southern mountains in the Northern Zone and Caribbean, in addition to most of the mountains of the South Pacific.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:
- Prevention due to wind gusts and their possible affectation of 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 the increase of turbulence, as well as in maritime navigation due to the increase of rough seas, especially in the North Pacific, Gulf of Nicoya and north of the Central Pacific.
- Avoid all types of fires, as they may get out of control.
- Caution for sewage saturation in places prone to this type of flooding, as well as for the increase of flow in rivers and streams.
- Stay informed through social networks: Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR and the web page www.imn.ac.cr

Jose Valverde Mora

Meteorologist

DMSA/IMN