On Friday, the National Emergency Commission raised the weather alert to Yellow for practically the whole country owing to the predicted impact of a tropical depression passing across the Caribbean Sea.

Tropical depression forms when a low-pressure area is accompanied by thunderstorms that produce a circular wind flow with maximum sustained winds below 39 mph. If winds gust increase between 39 mph and 73 mph, it could cause an upgrade to a tropical storm.

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, observations and satellite imagery over the southwestern Caribbean Sea surface indicate that a broad area of low pressure was forming on Friday.

"Additional gradual development is possible over the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this weekend or early next week while the system drifts generally northward or northwestward over the central or western Caribbean Sea, "said the experts in its statement. 

The hurricane center gives the system a 70 percent chance of formation through the next seven days.

Furthermore, rain has increased as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ICZ) spans from the Central American Pacific Coast and extends into the Caribbean Coast. Known as the doldrums or the calms, it happens when the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, resulting in a lack of breeze and increased rainfall.

The provinces of San José, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago  and most of Limón are under Yellow Alert. This second-level alert is a warning to rescue staff to be ready for a large-scale natural phenomenon that is forming and is almost certain to impact those areas.

The southern zone of Limón Province is under Green Alert. This first level of warning directs emergency committees to keep informed of how the natural event is developing. It indicates that there is an elevated probability that an emergency will develop nearby.

As of Friday, no orange or red weather warnings have been issued.

Rainfall is expected to vary from 40 to 60 mm in the Guanacaste Province.

Showers may continue between 50 and 80 mm in the Puntarenas Province.

Downpours between 45 and 70 mm are forecasted for the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago.

In Limón Province, thunderstorms are expected to range between 30 and 60 mm.

According to experts, Costa Rica might be hit by three tropical cyclones this year.

Experts recommend the following preventive measures:

• In the case of downpours, stay away from rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
  
  
  
• People living in mountain areas should take preventive measures against landslides or material falling from the hills.

• Those under alert should have an emergency evacuation plan in their community, work and home.
  

• Drivers must increase precautions for heavy rain and fog.

• Take precautionary measures in case of thunderstorms, such as taking refuge in a safe place and avoiding direct use of electronic equipment, electrical appliances or electrical cords.

• Stay alert about vulnerable areas to flooding due to sewer saturation or an increase in river flow.

• In case of strong gusts of wind, be on alert for possible falling trees or electrical wires.

• In the event of a landslide, do not walk on the debris, stay away from affected areas and do not return home until authorities verify that it is a safe place.
  

• Stay informed about the alerts issued by authorities.

• Call 911 to report any possible flooding, fallen trees or landslides.
  

A.M. Costa Rica urges readers to share this alert with their communities. 


The National Institute of Meteorology, or Weather Institute, is the state owned agency that is tasked with providing weather forecasts, warnings of hazardous weather, and other weather-related products to organizations and the public for the purposes of protection, safety, and general information.

The National Emergency Commission (CNE) works with people and emergency professionals to strengthen, sustain, and enhance the county's ability to plan for, defend against, respond to, recover from, and reduce any potential hazards.

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What have you heard about other communities impacted by excessive rain?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com