Weather Warning

Rainy conditions will continue overnight in the North Zone

January 9, 2025

06.25 p.m.

Discussion: Accelerated winds prevail in the country, favoring the constant drag of humidity from the Caribbean Sea towards the national territory. The strongest gusts have been recorded in northern Guanacaste with maximums of 84 km/h and the Central Valley with speeds ranging between 30-55 km/h. Due to the wind drag, constant cloud formation and precipitation of varying intensity are maintained in the North Zone, Northern Caribbean and to a lesser extent towards the Central Valley. In sectors of Sarapiquí, Upala, Los Chiles and Guatuso, the maximum precipitation has been recorded in the last 6 hours, reaching between 50-80 mm.

Forecast: Rain will continue to fall in the North tonight, with amounts between 30 mm and 60 mm expected in 6-hour periods. In the Caribbean, mountainous parts of the Central Valley are expected to experience scattered rainfall with accumulations between 5-20 mm in 6-hour periods. In the rest of the country, no significant rainfall is expected.
Windy conditions will predominate tonight and into Friday morning. Moderate gusts are expected in the mountains of the Central Valley and the Guanacaste plain (between 40 km/h and 60 km/h) and strong gusts in northern Guanacaste (between 60 km/h and 80 km/h).

Warning: High levels of soil saturation remain in the North Zone and North Caribbean, a situation that generates high vulnerability to flood risk.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to saturation of sewers in places prone to this type of flooding, as well as due to the increase in flow in rivers and streams.
• Prevention due to gusts of wind 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 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 fires of any kind, as they can get out of control.
• Stay informed through social networks, Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR and the WEB Page: www.imn.ac.cr

Rebeca Morera R.
Meteorologist
DMSA/IMN