Meteorological Warning

Rains of variable intensity during this Thursday and Tropical Wave #20 for this Friday

July 18, 2024

5:00 pm

Diagnosis: The Intertropical Convergence Zone positioned over Costa Rica, in conjunction with local factors and a high content of precipitable water in the atmosphere, has favored showers with thunderstorms during this afternoon on the Pacific slope and west of the Central Valley. The maximum amounts recorded up to this time are in the South Pacific with values ​​between 50-70 mm in places such as Neily, Buenos Aires, Osa and Río Claro.

Forecast: The analysis of satellite and radar images shows convective nuclei developing in the Nicoya Peninsula, coastal sectors of the Central Pacific and in the South Pacific, so it is expected that these regions will continue with variable rainfall, including showers with thunderstorms during the rest of this afternoon and early evening (approximately 2 to 4 more hours). Estimated amounts between 20-50 mm. Part of this cloudiness continues to project towards the west of the Central Valley, which will favor moderate rainfall in that area during the same period. Estimated amounts between 5-20 mm. In the rest of the country there is a possibility of occasional light rains, mainly in mountainous areas.

In addition, tropical wave #20 is passing through Panama and is expected to enter the national territory during the early morning period of this Friday. The passage of this system through the country together with the Intertropical Convergence Zone will be favoring atmospheric instability and precipitation in the country.

In the early hours of Friday and part of the morning, mostly cloudy skies with scattered rains are expected for the Caribbean and South Pacific. In the afternoon, mostly cloudy skies are expected nationwide, as well as a high probability of heavy showers with storms on the Pacific slope, Central Valley and mountainous areas of the Caribbean and Northern Zone. These precipitations are expected to last until the early hours of the night.

Warning: Special attention should be paid to the Caribbean and Northern Zone regions, because the soils maintain high levels of saturation, which increases the vulnerability of the area. In addition, in urban areas, sewer saturation could cause flooding.

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

Roberto Vindas

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN

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