Costa Rica News – Frequent downpours are expected across Costa Rica through at least Thursday as abundant tropical moisture remains entrenched across the southwestern Caribbean.
These daily downpours will hamper any ongoing recovery efforts following the magnitude 6.5 earthquake which struck the just of the coast of Jacó, Costa Rica, Sunday night.
The rainfall will also heighten the risk for additional landslides across the country.
Flooding will be an increasing concern as downpours fall on the same areas for several days in a row.
A push of drier air will begin to filter across Costa Rica on Friday, causing thunderstorms to become more isolated.
The greatest chance for heavy rainfall will be in southeastern Costa Rica on Friday. Total rainfall through Friday will exceed 100 mm (4 inches) in areas that get repeated downpours.
This drier air will settle over Costa Rica this weekend as the threat for flooding downpours decreases, and many locations can expect improved conditions for any lingering earthquake recovery efforts.
Tropical moisture will build once again across the southwestern Caribbean and Costa Rica early next week causing an increase in showers and thunderstorms.
“Historically, the southern Caribbean is the most likely area for tropical development from Nov. 11-20,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski.
“There is concern for late-season development late next week over the southern Caribbean, particularly between Nov. 24 and 28,” added Kottlowski.
Any further tropical downpours could create new flooding and mudslide problems in areas impacted by the recent earthquake.
Damage to buildings, walls and other structures were reported across the country, according to CNN.
Travel was halted in some areas as landslides blocked roadways following the earthquake.
A statement from the Costa Rica government stated three people died of heart attacks at the time of the earthquake.
By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist
