By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The National Meteorological Institute announced that the country faces the influence of the 14th cold front of the year. Although the strong winds were detected Sunday, the natural phenomenon is expected to continue today.

The main effect of the cold front is the most powerful winds recorded in the last hours of Sunday afternoon.

"The most significant gusts have reached speeds of up to 106 km/h in the cities of La Cruz and Liberia. In Santa Cruz 70 km/h,  in Ciudad Colón 78 km/h, in Cerro Chitaría 87 km/h, in the province of Heredia 70 km/h, and in the province of Alajuela 79 km/h.," said the institute in a statement.

Also, rains were recorded Sunday in the Caribbean and North Zone with amounts between 5-15 mm.

According to the weather forecast, the windy pattern will continue intense with maximum gusts expected between 80-100 km/h in Central Valley, north Pacific and the mountain ranges.

Gusts of strong winds will also be perceived in the mountains of the Central and South Pacific coasts.

Rains are expected in the mountainous areas of the Caribbean and the Northern Zone, accumulated between 10-20 mm.

At night in these regions rains can be generalized and maintained with amounts between 20-40 mm, said the weather institute.

There are also rain possibilities in the north and east of the Central Valley, as well as in the north of Guanacaste with accumulations of less than 5 mm.

"It is estimated that these weather conditions associated with the cold front would be maintained at least during Monday, reducing its impact on Tuesday," said the institute in its statement.

Specialists recommend taking precautions due to high gusts and their possible impact on roofs, electrical wiring, signs, trees. Particularly vulnerable are the mountainous parts of the country like within national parks or around volcanoes.

Also recommended is to take precautions in areas vulnerable to flooding due to the saturation of sewers and increased flow in rivers and streams. Caution is urged in sectors with the risk of landslides, especially in the Caribbean, the Northern Zone and areas near the mountains in the Central Valley and Guanacaste.

Vessels are recommended to avoid sailing due to the risk of strong waves in the North Pacific, Gulf of Nicoya, Central Pacific and the Caribbean Sea.

Specialists also recommend avoiding taking flights that cross mountainous areas due to the increase in high winds. Or at least pilots should take more precaution when the aircraft crosses those areas.

A call was also made for people to avoid any type of controlled burn because high winds could cause a small fire to become blazing fast.

A.M. Costa Rica urges readers to share this alert with their contacts, as well as recommend tourists to increase precautionary measures if they are going to sail or take a local flight.


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Do you know anyone who is about to take a local flight or going to sail today?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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