The Costa Rican National Meteorological Institute (IMN) has issued Weather Report #22 regarding Tropical Depression #19 (DT#19), located off the coast of Honduras, about 590 km north of Puerto Limón. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), DT#19 is expected to intensify into a tropical storm as it moves westward, indirectly affecting Costa Rica’s weather conditions in the coming days.
Weather Analysis and Forecast
Current Situation:
In the last 12 hours, significant rainfall has been recorded across Costa Rica, with maximum accumulations between 40 and 110 mm in the Pacific regions. Notable areas include Liberia, Paquera, La Cruz, Santa Cruz, and Herradura. Elsewhere in the country, rainfall totals ranged from 5 to 15 mm.
Forecasted Impact:
For the rest of today and through tomorrow, Costa Rica is expected to experience unstable weather conditions, with intense rain showers and thunderstorms, primarily in the Pacific Central and South Pacific regions. In the Central Valley, moderate rainfall with occasional heavy showers is expected. The North Zone and Caribbean regions may also see rain, though to a lesser extent.
Expected rainfall for the next 6-12 hours in different regions:
- North Pacific: Up to 150 mm, especially in the Nicoya Peninsula/Gulf of Nicoya and Tilarán mountain ranges.
- Central Pacific: Between 30 and 120 mm.
- South Pacific: Up to 150 mm.
- Central Valley: Up to 50 mm.
- North Caribbean & South Caribbean: Up to 80 mm.
- North Zone: Up to 70 mm.
Localized areas within each region may experience even higher rainfall than forecasted.
Advisory and Alerts
- Persistent Rainfall and Flood Risk: The indirect influence of this tropical system is expected to affect Costa Rica’s Pacific slope from Thursday through Saturday, with continued heavy rain in the Pacific regions and parts of the Central Valley.
- Flood Saturation Levels: Given the current saturated ground conditions across much of the country (85%-100% saturation), there is a high likelihood of flooding in vulnerable areas, particularly in the Pacific, North Zone, Tilarán Mountain Range, and the Caribbean.
IMN Recommendations
The IMN advises the public to:
- Avoid crossing rivers and areas prone to sudden flooding.
- Stay clear of landslide-prone areas and monitor local advisories.
- Seek shelter immediately in case of strong winds and potential damage to structures or trees.
- Keep an eye on official IMN updates via their social media channels and website.
This advisory will be updated at 6 p.m. today. Stay informed to remain safe during this period of extreme weather.
Source: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), Costa Rica.ther Alert and Expected Impact on Costa Rica
