Hold on to your hat if you’re in northern Guanacaste today. Trade winds pick up across Costa Rica on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and gusts could reach 75 kilometers per hour (47 mph) in the country’s northwest corner, according to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN). In the Central Valley, the North Pacific and the mountain ranges, expect gusts of 30 to 50 km/h (19 to 31 mph). That’s strong enough to bring down weak branches, rattle loose roofing and signs, and push motorcycles and high-sided vehicles around on open stretches of road.
The wind isn’t the only thing to watch. On the Central and South Pacific coasts the day starts mostly clear, but sea breezes will build clouds through the morning. By afternoon you can expect isolated showers and downpours, some with thunderstorms. In the Central Valley, skies will be partly cloudy with moderate morning winds and only light, scattered rain in the afternoon. San José should range from 19°C (66°F) to 28.5°C (83°F).
Guanacaste will be the windiest and hottest part of the country. Skies stay mostly clear, with the strongest gusts over high ground in the morning and moderate winds into the afternoon. Liberia is forecast to hit 35°C (95°F). Along the Central Pacific, clouds thicken through the morning, and showers and possible storms form over the mountains in the afternoon. Quepos tops out near 31.5°C (89°F), and coastal showers are possible after dark.
The South Pacific follows the same pattern. Isolated downpours with possible thunderstorms develop in the afternoon, followed by showers along the coast at night. Golfito expects a high of about 30°C (86°F). On the Caribbean side, moisture coming off the sea brings partly cloudy skies and scattered rain in the morning. In the afternoon the rain stays close to the mountains, and Limón and Guápiles both top out around 29°C (84°F).
The Northern Zone gets a similar mix, with scattered morning rain and possible afternoon showers in the mountains. Ciudad Quesada ranges from 17°C (63°F) to 28°C (82°F). If you’re driving in northern Guanacaste, keep both hands on the wheel and give trucks and motorcycles extra room. Gusts hit hardest on open roads and ridgelines, where nothing breaks the wind. Bring in or tie down anything loose on balconies, patios and rooftops.
If you’re headed to a Pacific beach, plan to be off the sand and out of the water by early afternoon, when storms are most likely to form. Lightning is the main danger, and it can strike before the rain arrives. Looking ahead, IMN expects the trade winds to stay strong through Wednesday, ease for a short time midweek, and pick up again Saturday and Sunday. That weekend push comes from a weak cold front system to the north that speeds up the winds over the Caribbean. Rain should decrease nationwide over the week.
This is the usual pattern of the shift from the rainy season to the dry season. Sunny days, occasional showers and bursts of strong wind take turns until the dry months settle in. IMN has also forecast warmer-than-normal temperatures from November through January.
