Weather Warning (Update)

Afternoon rain and thunderstorms in several regions of the country

August 31, 2024

5:15 p.m.

Diagnosis: Unstable and humid conditions will continue on Saturday due to an active Intertropical Convergence Zone over our country. Since early afternoon, the presence of scattered showers accompanied by storms has been evident throughout the central mountainous axis of the country, in addition to some low-lying areas. The most significant accumulations since 7 am are reported in: Cañas (70 mm), Tarrazú, Santa Barbara-Heredia and P.N. Braulio Carrillo (50 mm), Liberia and Cd. Neily (45 mm) Belén, Cd. Colón, Heredia, Las Esferas-Osa, Pérez Zeledón, Nicoya, Bagaces and Playa Garza-St. Rosa (30 mm). Incidents are reported east of the Central Valley (Cartago), on Route 32 and in San Ramón-Alajuela.

Forecast: During the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening, scattered but heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms will continue to occur in areas of the western Caribbean, between Cartago-Turrialba, in the South Pacific, low-lying areas and the center of the Northern Zone. In addition, variable rainfall will occur in the rest of the Central Valley and areas of the Pacific.

The most significant 12-hour accumulations are expected in the central-northern part of the country, along with localized areas of the Caribbean regions. These will be between 25 - 50 mm with maximums between 70 - 100 mm. For the east of the regions in question, the accumulations will be between 10 - 30 mm with localized maximums of up to 65 mm. The rains will continue into the early hours of the night in the center and east of the country, along the Pacific coasts.

Warning: Today's rains are projected to affect urban areas, so sewer saturation could lead to flash flooding. Saturated soils remain in the Northern Zone, mountains of the South Pacific, Nicoya Peninsula and high areas along with areas near Puntarenas, increasing vulnerability in these areas.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution 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 the event of strong gusts of wind occurring or 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  

Jose Valverde Mora

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN