Weather Warning

Influence of Cold Surge #2 this Friday and weekend

November 22, 2024

10:00 a.m.

Diagnosis: The displacement of cold surge #2 over Central America and the Caribbean Sea will be generating a gradual increase in the speed of the North winds starting today; at the same time it is causing a greater incursion of humidity from the Caribbean Sea into the national territory.

This morning, rain and showers have been generated in the north of the country, in sectors such as Guanacaste, the Northern Zone and the Northern Caribbean.

The amounts range from 30 mm to 50 mm. Regarding the gusts recorded in these early hours of the morning, they vary between 40 km/h to 65 km/h, the highest in Cerro Buenavista, La Cruz, Cañas, Guayabo and Poás Volcano.

Forecast: Moderate to strong winds are expected during the afternoon of this Friday and throughout the weekend, with estimated gusts ranging from 40-75 km/h in the Central Valley and lower parts of the North Pacific; while in the north of Guanacaste and the mountain ranges in general, gusts between 70-95 km/h are expected.

About precipitation, intermittent rain/showers are expected in the Caribbean and the North Zone during the course of this Friday and Saturday, with accumulations between 10-40 mm in periods of 6 hours, higher amounts are possible in a localized manner that could reach 60 mm in 6 hours. Part of the cloud cover may extend to the North and East of the Central Valley causing light drizzle. For the rest of the country, significant precipitation is not expected.

The cold mass of this system is gradually spreading towards our latitudes, causing a cool thermal sensation and a decrease in temperatures of around 2 °C and 4 °C, especially towards the center and north of the country, which will be more evident during Saturday.

Warning: Special attention due to strong wind gusts in the North Pacific and in the Central Valley, as well as in the Talamanca mountain range.

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 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, since they can get out of control. • Stay informed through social media: Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR and the WEBSITE: www.imn.ac.cr

Gabriela Chinchilla Ramírez

Meteorologist DMSA-IMN