|
Downpours and thunderstorms in Northern and Caribbean zones caused by tropical storm
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
According to the National Meteorological Institute, tropical storm #29 of the year, passed through the country on Wednesday causing downpours and intense thunderstorms in the northern zone of Guanacaste* and the Caribbean* coast.
"Tropical storm #29 is generating cloudy conditions in most of the national territory and strong rainy activity in the Caribbean and the Northern zone, as well as rains in the Central Valley* and mountainous sectors of the Pacific coast*," the Commission said in its statement.
The specialists are forecasting strong wind gusts between 40-55 km/h in the Central Valley and between 50-80 km/h in Guanacaste and the Caribbean coast. As well as downpours and thunderstorms. Estimated rainfall amounts between 30-60 mm are expected.
Showers with a possible isolated thunderstorm are forecasted, especially to the west of the Central Valley with rainfall amounts between 5-20 mm.
According to the institute, the rest of the country will experience torrential downpours and thunderstorms throughout the afternoon.
Since August 15th, as A.M. Costa Rica previously reported, the authorities of the National Emergency Commission, announced the activation of a green alert, in the provinces of Guanacaste and San José and a yellow alert warning for the rest of the country, due to a tropical system.
According to specialists, the increase in rain is due to the presence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over the country.
The ITCZ, known by sailors as the doldrums or the calms due to the dull, windless weather, is the area where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge. The ITCZ appears as a band of clouds, usually thunderstorms, that encircle the globe near the Equator.
Variations in the location of the ITCZ drastically affects the rainfall in many equatorial nations, resulting in the wet and dry seasons of the tropics rather than the cold and warm seasons of higher latitudes.
Longer-term changes in the ITCZ can result in severe droughts or flooding in nearby areas.
Due to the current conditions, people should be alert, especially in areas of high risk due to floods, landslides, or strong wind gusts.
Due to the alerts, specialists recommend:
- Be alert in areas vulnerable to flooding due to sewer saturation, increased river flow, and landslides.
- In case of a thunderstorm, take refuge in a safe place.
- In case of strong wind gusts be alert to possible falling tree branches or electrical cables.
The authorities ask the public to call 911 to report any possible flooding, falling trees, or landslides.
More updated information can be found at the Weather Channel site here.*
And, at the National Weather Institute of Costa Rica site here.*
The A.M. Costa Rica team asks readers to share this alert among their contacts.
------------------------
Have you heard of any emergencies caused by this year's tropical storms in your community? We
would like to know your thoughts
on this story. Send your
comments to news@amcostarica.com
|
|
