Weather Warning (Update)

Tropical wave #20 moves over Costa Rica

July 19, 2024

3:30 p.m.

Diagnosis: The arrival of tropical wave #20 has generated unstable atmospheric conditions over Costa Rica, favoring partial to total cloudiness this afternoon, as well as thunderstorms and showers in the Northern Zone, the Caribbean mountains and the Central Valley. In addition, there were isolated rains in the Nicoya Peninsula, the Central Pacific and the South Pacific. The most significant accumulations in the last few hours are: 85 mm in Santa Bárbara de Heredia, 60 mm in Braulio Carrillo, and 42.2 mm in San Carlos. In other parts of the country, rainfall between 10 mm and 30 mm is recorded.

Forecast: For the rest of this afternoon and early evening, rains, showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue.

In the Central and South Pacific, as well as in the Central Valley, accumulations between 20-50 mm are estimated in 6-hour periods. In addition, fog banks are possible at the end of the afternoon and beginning of the night in the Central Valley and mountainous areas.

Meanwhile, in the North Pacific (especially the Nicoya Peninsula, Tempisque Valley and surrounding areas), the North Zone and the Caribbean mountain range, episodes of rain accompanied by thunderstorms are expected, with amounts estimated between 20-60 mm in periods of 6 hours.

During the first hours of the night, the tropical wave is expected to gradually decrease its effects on the national territory.

Warning: Special attention should be paid to the regions of the Caribbean, the North Zone, as well as the North and South Pacific, because the soils maintain high levels of saturation, which increases vulnerability in these areas. In addition, in urban areas, saturation of the sewers could cause flooding.

Therefore, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to saturation of the sewers 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

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