Starting this Thursday and throughout the weekend, low humidity is expected across Costa Rica. Increased trade wind intensity in the Caribbean Sea will carry fresh Saharan dust to Central America, which will essentially soak up much of the humidity and create hotter conditions.
This pattern is characteristic of the seasonal pattern we’ve been tracking known as the canicular period. It’s those mid-rainy season dry spells with nicer weather. So overall, rainfall during the coming days will be more scattered (and light) throughout the country.
We’re tracking three tropical waves over the coming days: Tropical Wave #20 will cross the national territory this Thursday, and Tropical Wave #21 on Saturday. However, due to the stable atmospheric conditions created by the Saharan dust and strong trade winds, they shouldn’t have a major influence on our weather.
The story changes with Tropical Wave #22 on Monday. That system is expected to bring an increase in humidity and the return of more widespread rainfall.
Thursday-Saturday dry dominance: The peak of hot, dry conditions with scattered rainfall due to Saharan dust influence and strong trade winds keeping atmospheric conditions stable.
Sunday transition begins: Early signs of change with possible morning rains returning to the Caribbean coast and Northern Zone plains, plus scattered Central Valley afternoon showers.
Monday’s shift: Arrival of Tropical Wave #22 brings increased humidity and the return of more active rainfall patterns across Costa Rica.
Partly cloudy conditions throughout the country provide clear, hot starts to the day. Starting Sunday, there’s a chance of rain returning to the coast of Limón and the plains of the Northern Zone during the early hours. Those showers are the first sign that the dry pattern is beginning to weaken next week.
Variable cloudiness in general throughout the country with occasional rain along the Pacific coast and mountains of both the Caribbean and the Northern Zone. The key change happens starting Sunday, when scattered rain is expected to return to the Central Valley .
Starting Saturday, there’s a chance of rain developing in the mountainous areas of both the Northern Zone and the Caribbean regions as atmospheric patterns begin their gradual shift toward more active conditions.
Central Valley & North Pacific: Will experience the most pronounced hot, dry conditions Thursday through Saturday due to Saharan dust influence. Sunday marks the beginning of change with scattered afternoon showers returning to the Central Valley.
Caribbean & Northern Zone: Mountain areas maintain some rainfall activity throughout the next seven days, with coastal plains seeing rain return by Sunday morning as humidity begins to increase.
Central & South Pacific: Continue to see occasional rainfall along the coast and mountains, though activity remains scattered during the peak dry period before increasing with the start of next week.
Temperature patterns will be notably hot during the peak dry period, with the characteristic cool overnight conditions still present thanks to clear skies.
Here’s what we are looking at for high and low temperatures across Costa Rica’s different regions:
High: 30° (86°) | Low: 14° (57.2°)
High: 35° (95°) | Low: 19° (66.2°)
High: 33° (91.4°) | Low: 16° (60.8°)
High: 33° (91.4°) | Low: 16° (60.8°)
High: 30° (86°) | Low: 18° (64.4°)
High: 32° (89.6°) | Low: 17° (62.6°)
This forecast is based on the weekly outlook shared by Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute (IMN).
