Weather Warning (Update)

Influence of the Central American Gyre continues this Friday (update)

June 28, 2024

4:15 p.m.

Diagnosis: This Friday, a predominance of humidity flow from the Pacific Ocean to the national territory continues, due to the development of the Central American Gyre in the region. During the afternoon period, rain has occurred in a large part of the North Pacific. Since 7:00 a.m., the accumulated amounts remain between 15 mm and 40 mm, with maximums in sectors of La Cruz and Liberia between 50 mm and 66 mm. In other sectors of the country, the accumulated amounts remain below 20 mm and have occurred in isolation.

Forecast: For the rest of this day, the influence of the Central American Gyre will continue on the country. For the rest of the afternoon and night, cloudy skies are expected to predominate over most of the national territory. Precipitation, for the most part, is expected to be of weak to moderate intensity, with intermittent character in the North Pacific and occasional for the rest of the country. Estimated amounts between 15 mm and 45 mm in periods of 6 hours.

However, the interaction of the humid flow from the west induced by the Central American Gyre can generate cloudy nuclei of greater vertical development when interacting with the orography, so the probability of heavy localized showers in mountainous areas and surroundings remains for the entire country (higher probability in the mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán). Maximum amounts estimated between 20-60 mm in periods of 6 hours.

According to current analyses, most of the national territory would be outside the influence of the Central American Gyre for Saturday. The North Pacific will continue under the influence of this system during the first hours of Saturday.

Warning: Saturated soils are recorded in the South Pacific and North Pacific (special attention in both peninsulas), mountains of the Northern Zone bordering the Central Valley and the Guanacaste mountain range. All regions are vulnerable to landslides and possible flooding.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.
• Prevention against thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe place if strong gusts of wind occur or are perceived near 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

Paulo Solano
Meteorologist
DMSA/IMN