Weather Warning

Easterly wave n°15 is expected to move this Tuesday

July 1, 2024

3:30 p.m.

Diagnosis: Easterly wave #15 (OT 15) is currently at 77 °W, moving over Panama. This system will continue to move westward, entering the national territory on Tuesday. OT 15, together with other factors such as daytime warming, the entry of sea breezes and the current position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), maintains atmospheric instability in the region.

Forecast: In the early morning, coastal rains are expected in the Central Pacific and South Pacific, as well as isolated rains in sectors of the South Caribbean. During the morning, precipitation is possible during the first hours in the Caribbean, especially near the coasts. Accumulations between 10 mm and 30 mm are estimated with possible localized maximums in periods of 6 hours.

During the afternoon of this Tuesday, the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the passage of tropical wave n°15 will reinforce the rainfall in various sectors of the country. Showers with thunderstorms are expected in the North Pacific, Central Pacific, South Pacific, Central Valley, Northern Zone and in the mountains of the Caribbean. These rains may continue during the first hours in the Central Valley, Pacific and Northern Zone. Accumulated precipitation is estimated between 20 mm and 60 mm in periods of 6 hours with possible higher localized accumulations.

Warning: The rains that may occur in urban areas can cause flash floods and sewer saturation due to the high saturation of the soils. Saturated soils are present in the mountains of the South Pacific, low areas near the coasts of the Central Pacific and South Pacific, the mountains of the Northern Zone bordering the Central Valley, in addition to both peninsulas. All regions are vulnerable to landslides and possible floods.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.
• Prevention against electrical storms and seek shelter in a safe place in case of strong gusts of wind 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

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