Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission (CNE) issued a green alert on Tuesday for the entire Pacific coast in anticipation of the arrival of three-meter-tall waves.
The alert, the lowest of the country’s three alert levels, will remain in effect through Sunday.
The announcement comes in response to predictions from the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) and the University of Costa Rica’s Ocean and Freshwater Research Center (CIMAR)that the highest waves of the year will wash ashore from Aug. 9-15.
According to the predictions, waves along the Pacific coast will increase in size throughout the week, reaching a peak of 3.24 meters on Friday, Aug. 13. The size of the waves will begin to diminish on Sunday.
The CNE urges citizens to exercise caution while boating and to beware of strong currents. Coastal residents should also watch out for flash flooding at high tide, the CNE said.