Inamhi foresees heavy rains and storms until Saturday on the Coast and East; possible hail fall in the Sierra

The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Inamhi) expects to enter In the early morning of February 14 and the night of February 18, heavy rains and storms develop on the coast and the Amazon; the most intense ones could occur in the afternoons and early mornings, especially on the Coast.

Moderate to very heavy rain is expected in much of the coastal region, with thunderstorms to the north and inland. Rainfall will be given with greater emphasis in the provinces of Manabí, Santa Elena, Guayas and El Oro.

For the inter-Andean region, the most intense rains are forecast to occur to the north and south, with probable storms and hail. The most important events are expected in Loja, Pichincha and Carchi.

In the east, moderate and heavy rainfall is expected, with an emphasis on the north of the region and the foothills of the mountains, accompanied by storms and gusts of moderate wind. In the provinces of Sucumbíos, Napo, Orellana and Pastaza The heaviest rains are expected.

While for the insular region, occasional light to moderate rains are expected.

This atmospheric instability responds, among other factors, due to the ingress of moisture from the intertropical convergence zone.high precipitable water content, as well as convergent and divergent processes in the atmosphere.

Inamhi believes that it is probable that _due to these rains_ there is accumulation of water in homes, businesses and susceptible roads. In addition, the conditions of the roads could be affected by stagnant water, landslides and fog banks, and it is possible that there are overflows of bodies of water in locations where greater intensity is expected. (YO)