Costa Rica weather: Seasonal cold push and dry transition expected

Costa Rica is experiencing the first seasonal cold push, which is expected to bring a slight increase in trade winds and potential rainfall to the Northern Zone. The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) anticipates that this phenomenon will have limited influence on the national territory, with no abrupt atmospheric changes expected.

Regarding the seasonal transition, the 2026 rainy season is projected to begin withdrawing in early November, though the process will vary by region. The North Pacific, including Guanacaste, is expected to enter the dry season first. In contrast, the Central Valley and the Central and South Pacific may see intermittent rainfall continuing through much of November.

Climatology Unit expert Daniel Poleo noted that while the transition is expected to fall within normal calendar dates, the shift could be noticeably drier than usual. A particularly dry period is forecast for the North Pacific, Central Pacific, and Central Valley between October 26 and November 1.