The Central American temporal: A long–lived tropical rain–producing system
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Date
1996
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Tópicos Meteorológicos y Oceanogáficos
Abstract
The general characteristics of the Central American temporal are described, as well as the synoptic conditions which produce it. As an example. the synoptic situation and the rainfall distribution over Costa Rica associated with the temporal of May 1982 are discussed. The temporal resulted from the development of a low pressure center over the Gulf of Honduras. which was observed from the surface up to the 250 hPa level. This low pressure center produced a westerly flow (interrupting the predominant northeasterly flow). which interacted with orography producing persistent rain for several days. The maximum daily rainfall values over Costa Rica were about 150 mm, which are quite significative considering that the rainy season on the Pacific side and the Central Valley of Costa Rica begins in May. The modification of the environment by the occurrence of the temporal is also discussed. Vertical cross sections during the temporal show that a cooling below approximately 600 hPa and a warming above this level took place. A large increase in humidity was observed and the thickness of the convective and conditional layer above surface decreased during the temporal.
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Fernández, W. y Barrantes, J. (1996). The Central American temporal: A long-lived tropical rain-producing system. Tópicos Meteorológicos y Oceanográficos, 3(2), 73-88. http://cglobal.imn.ac.cr/documentos/revista/topicosmet19962/html5/index.html?page=1&noflash