Weather Warning

Tropical wave #31 passing over Costa Rica

September 13, 2024

9.30 a.m,.

Discussion: Tropical wave #31 is over the country this Friday. This system is generating an unstable and humid atmospheric pattern, which increases the presence of cloudiness and rain throughout the day.

Since early hours, cloud cover has been present in a large part of the national territory, in addition there is a record of precipitation in the Northern Zone, the Caribbean and to a lesser extent towards high parts of the Central Valley, as well as the coasts of the Central Pacific, with amounts between 5-20 mm in the last 4 hours.

Forecast: Moderate rains are expected in the rest of the morning in the North Caribbean and North Zone, with accumulated amounts between 10-30 mm. Towards the afternoon, the most significant rainfall is expected; isolated but strong showers with thunderstorms, particularly for the mountainous areas of the Central Pacific, the South Pacific and around the Gulf of Nicoya, the Tempisque Valley and mountain ranges in the North Pacific, estimated amounts between 20 - 50 mm with possible localized maximum amounts of 80 mm. For the Central Valley and North Zone, rains and showers with thunderstorms are expected, estimated maximum amounts between 10 - 50 mm, possible larger amounts of up to 70 mm. In the mountains of the Caribbean and surrounding low areas, scattered showers with thunderstorms with amounts between 10-45 mm are possible. During the night, a gradual decrease in rainfall is expected; however, it may persist on the Pacific coasts.

Warning: High soil saturation is present in the Northern Zone, South Pacific, Central Pacific mountains, Nicoya Peninsula, and South Caribbean; regions in which rain will be recurrent on this day; therefore, these are extremely vulnerable areas. Likewise, the rains expected in urban areas may cause congestion in the sewer system and flash floods.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Be careful due to sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.
• Prevention in the event of an electrical storm and seeking shelter in a safe place in case of strong gusts of wind near the storm clouds, due to the possible fall of tree branches, power lines, among others. These gusts can reach 80 km/h in some isolated cases.
• 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