Weather Warning

Influence of Cold Surge #6 this Friday and weekend

December 20, 2024

9:40 a.m.

Diagnosis: Cold surge #6 be north of the Caribbean Sea basin is causing cloudiness with variable rainfall, starting early Friday morning in the North Caribbean and Northern Zone regions. Accumulations in the last 12 hours are 10-40 mm with local highs of 50 mm (Los Chiles). In addition, accelerated trade winds are present with occasional gusts in the mountains, with values ​​of 72 km/h in Cerro Buena Vista, 60 km/h in the Irazú Volcano, Orosi and La Cruz-Guanacaste, 50 km/h in Cerros de Santa Ana and Bagaces-Guanacaste.

Forecast: Due to the wind drag, the development and entry of cloudiness and variable rainfall will persist, reaching the Northern Zone and the north of the province of Limón, these would be evident throughout the day and at night over sectors of the South Caribbean. The estimated amounts vary between 40 - 100 mm in periods of 12 to 24 hours, higher amounts are likely in a very localized manner.

On the other hand, gusts in the North Pacific, Central Valley and the mountain ranges will be occasional. They are estimated between 30 - 70 km/h towards lower parts of the North Pacific and upper parts of the Central Valley, and with ranges between 70 - 90 km/h in the mountains of northern Guanacaste. The cloud layer can move towards the mountains of north-east Guanacaste and Central Valley, producing intermittent rains, with the decrease of daytime temperatures during the period of impact of this force, especially on weekends.

The mountains of the Central Pacific and around the Golfo Dulce, will have a probability of localized showers in the afternoons with localized amounts between 15 - 60 mm.

Warning: Special attention should be paid to mountainous areas of the Northern Zone, the Caribbean and surrounding lowlands, as the basins have saturation levels between 80% and 95%.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding, as well as increased flow in rivers and streams.

• Prevention due to gusts of wind and their possible damage to 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 all kinds, 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

Jose Valverde Mora

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN