Weather Warning Issued for Caribbean Costa Rica

The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) issued a weather warning at 10:00 am this morning, Tuesday, May 12, 2009 for the Caribbean and Northern Zones of Costa Rica, particularly in the areas of Chilamate, Cinchona, Sarapiquí and surroundings, which are experiencing swollen rivers and streams. Limón has accumulated 350 mm in the last 72 hours – equivalent to the average for the entire month.

A steady decline is expected in the afternoon with a return to heavy intermittent rains in the evening with an estimated rainfall of 50-100mm. In the maritime industries, chopped sea waves of 7 ft ( 2.13 m ) are expected. In the Central Valley will have intermittent rain and the slope of the Pacific will not be affected.

The IMN recommends continued vigilance in rivers and streams in the province of Limón and the Northern Region, particularly in Siquirres, Sarapiqui and around Tortuguero, Parismina, Sixaola, Bataan, Matina, Estrada. It warns about the possibility of mudslides and landslides in the mountainous Caribbean, and to take precautions on the roads.