Costa Rica may be experiencing the effects of the 45th Tropical Wave of the green season, warned the Weather Institute.

On Thursday, the storm was moving down Panama Caribbean Coast and might affects the country on Friday, Nov. 8, and last 24 hours until Saturday, Nov. 9. The weather may improve by Sunday, Nov. 10.

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, the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, resulting in a lack of breeze and increased rainfall.

The National Emergency Commission issued the Orange Alert in almost all of the country. This third-level awareness advises rescue organizations to be on high alert if it is certain that an event or natural phenomenon will potentially affect in the alerted areas.


The weather alert level to Yellow was issued on the Caribbean Coast (Limón Province) and the northern zone of the provinces of Alajuela and Heredia. 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 that specific areas.


As of Thursday, no green or red weather warnings have been issued.

Rainfall is expected to vary from 30 to 90 mm in the Guanacaste Province.

Showers may continue between 30 and 80 mm in the Puntarenas Province.

Downpours between 30 and 50 mm are forecasted for the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago.

In Limón Province, thunderstorms are expected to range between 20 and 40 mm.

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. 

According to the experts, during November the final rainy days of the current green season will be gradually replaced by sunny days across the country.

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