Costa Rica is heading into a hot and mostly dry week, with the strongest heat expected in Guanacaste and only spotty afternoon rain in the usual mountain and Pacific areas. The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional’s outlook for this week says conditions should remain broadly typical for this point in the season, but drier than normal across much of the Pacific and Central Valley, with especially dry conditions along the coastal Caribbean. The same outlook says temperatures will run above normal because of limited cloud cover and strong midday sun.
Monday opened with a drop in humidity across the country, along with moderate trade winds in the Central Valley and stronger winds toward the North Pacific. That setup points to a fairly stable start to the week, especially during the morning hours.
The basic pattern for the week looks familiar. Mornings should stay mostly clear to partly cloudy in the Pacific and Central Valley, while the Caribbean and Northern Zone are expected to hold more cloud cover. By the afternoon, the better chance for showers and thunderstorms shifts to the Central and South Pacific and parts of the Valle del General, rather than becoming a widespread nationwide rain event.
The hottest temperatures are expected in the lowlands of Guanacaste and the central Pacific coast. IMN’s regional forecast for Monday showed Nicoya reaching 37.9°C, or about 100°F, Liberia 37.4°C, or about 99°F, Bagaces 35.9°C, or about 97°F, and Puntarenas 34.5°C, or about 94°F.
For much of the rest of the week, the bigger story is heat rather than heavy rain. Costa Rica is still edging toward the wetter part of the year, but this week is expected to feel more like a late dry season stretch in many areas, especially in the Pacific and Central Valley. Enjoy!
