Costa Rica may be experiencing the effects of the 40th tropical wave of the green season on Wednesday, warned the National Institute of Meteorology.

On Monday, the tropical storm was moving down Panama Caribbean Coast. It is expected to move across Costa Rica on Wednesday, October 16, lasting 24 hours till Thursday, October 17. The weather may improve by Friday, October 18.

Rainfall will rise due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ICZ) crossing over Costa Rica, from the Central American Pacific Coast to its Caribbean Coast.  The ICZ, also known as the doldrums of the sea, occurs when the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, resulting in less breeze and more thunderstorms.

Showers are forecast to range from 20 to 60 mm along the Pacific Coast (Guanacaste and Puntarenas).


Rains may persist for 10 to 40 mm in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago.

Precipitation in the Caribbean Coast (Limón Province) is forecast to range between 25 and 50 mm.

The National Emergency Commission holds the weather alert level to Yellow in almost all of the country.


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


The rest of the country is 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.

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

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.