No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta Rica‘Extreme’ Pacific winds create dangerous conditions for boaters, swimmers

‘Extreme’ Pacific winds create dangerous conditions for boaters, swimmers

Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission issued warnings Tuesday for “extreme” winds and rough seas on the country’s Pacific coast following forecasts by the University of Costa Rica’s Center for Research in Marine Sciences and Limnology. CIMAR forecast gusts of more than 88 km/h on the northern Pacific coast, creating dangerous conditions for boating.

CIMAR forecast less severe conditions for Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

The CNE recommended “extreme precaution” for this week, Monday, Feb. 8, through Sunday, Feb. 14, especially in Costa Rica’s northwestern province of Guanacaste. Conditions are expected to be the most extreme in northern Guanacaste and descend in intensity farther south along the Pacific coast. Winds along the coast of Guanacaste are expected to gust between 68 km/h and 88 km/h, and waves could reach 4.7 meters high.

The warning said that conditions were “dangerous” for small and medium-sized vessels.

In the port city of Puntarenas waves are forecast to be average but winds will be strong, blowing up to 85 km/h at times. The rest of the Central Pacific and Southern Pacific is forecast to have low to average waves and winds.

CIMAR said that conditions in the mouth of the Gulf of Nicoya presented “extreme risk” for small and medium-sized boats.

Sailors on the Caribbean face less severe conditions but should still be careful this week, according to CNE and CIMAR. Waves are expected to range from high to very high, cresting at over 4 meters, and winds could gust to 35 km/h. Small boats less than 7 meters long should be especially careful and swimmers should be wary of rip tides.

Extreme winds can be dangerous. In January, a tourist boat with 32 aboard capsized in rough seas in the Corn Islands off Nicaragua’a Caribbean coast, killing 13 Costa Rican tourists. In January 2015, a catamaran capsized in the Gulf of Nicoya, killing three tourists from Canada, Great Britain and the United States.

Winds in Guanacaste downed a tree at the Santa Rosa National Park Tuesday, temporarily closing part of the park to visitors.

https://www.facebook.com/ACG.CR/photos/a.421141591069.215599.201206886069/10153846223011070/?type=3&theater

Trending Now

Costa Rica Drivers Face Yearlong Delays as Tárcoles Bridge Undergoes Repairs

Those who frequently use the South Coast Highway, near the Tárcoles river, will have to be more patient.  Repair works have started on the...

Costa Rica National Parks to Measure Tourism Impact

Costa Rica will now be able to measure the impact of tourism in its national parks, thanks to innovative environmental technology from The NeverRest...

Panama Canal Warns of Traffic Decline as Economic Uncertainty Grows

The Panama Canal will take in about $400 million less in the next fiscal year due to a drop in ship traffic caused by...

President Chaves Downplays Costa Rica’s Security Crisis Amid Record Homicides

President Rodrigo Chaves brushed off concerns about Costa Rica's surging violence during his Wednesday press conference, insisting the security situation "is not as serious"...

Route 32 Reopens Following Preventive Closure Over Landslide Risk

Route 32, which connects San José with Limón, was reopened this morning after being closed for nearly 12 hours as a preventive measure due...

El Salvador Schools Enforce Military-Style Uniform Inspections

El Salvador's public schools will start enforcing daily inspections for students' uniforms and haircuts from August 20, as ordered by the new education minister,...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica