Costa Rica is preparing for cooler weather this week as a cold front advances from the northern hemisphere toward the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

This atmospheric disturbance is expected to bring strong winds, increased cloudiness, and showers beginning Wednesday.

According to José Pablo Valverde, meteorologist at the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), these effects will initially be felt in the Caribbean and northern areas of Costa Rica, becoming more pronounced between Thursday and Friday, and persisting into the weekend.

Regions including Limón, Sarapiquí, San Carlos, Guatuso, Upala, and Los Chiles will likely experience recurrent rainfall throughout the days, with potential for nighttime showers.

These conditions are expected to extend to higher altitude areas such as Cartago's Oreamuno and Alvarado, as well as Guápiles’ Cerro Zurquí and San Isidro de Heredia.

Additionally, intermittent drizzles are forecast for eastern and northern sectors of the Central Valley, affecting cantons such as La Unión, Curridabat, Coronado, Moravia, Goicoechea, San José, Tibás, and Santo Domingo de Heredia.

Wind gusts will intensify, potentially surpassing 90 km/h in La Cruz de Guanacaste and the mountainous zones, while the Central Valley may see winds exceeding 60 km/h. The strong winds are set to cause choppy seas in Limón, the northern Pacific, and Nicoya Gulf, prompting the IMN to advise air and sea navigation to take precautions.

Visitors to mountainous areas are similarly urged to be mindful of the windy and rainy conditions predicted.

Temperature-wise, the perceived air temperature is expected to be two to three degrees lower than average due to the cloud cover and wind intensity.

In terms of regional weather patterns, Central Pacific zones, including Puntarenas, Garabito, and Parrita, will have mostly clear to partly cloudy skies.

The South Pacific, encompassing Quepos, Osa, Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Buenos Aires, Coto Brus, and Corredores, remains under the shield of the Talamanca mountains, thus experiencing standard dry season conditions, with potential afternoon showers in mountainous areas.

The cold front season in Costa Rica typically concludes in February, though it can occasionally extend into early March.

This week’s front marks the ninth occurrence impacting the nation this year.

The prior cold wave on January 9 led to over 200 people relocating to shelters and more than 800 being affected by significant flooding in Sarapiquí, San Carlos, and Guatuso.

Emergency services, including the Red Cross and fire departments, responded to these areas under a low-level (green) alert issued by the National Emergency Commission.

While such cold fronts can recharge aquifers—mitigating the need for water rationing during the dry season—and fill reservoirs like Arenal for hydroelectric production, they also bring challenges.

Farmers in regions such as San Carlos, Coronado, Cartago, and Zarcero have reported crop and economic impacts due to excessive rain and wind, with products like tomatoes and potatoes seeing high price increases.

Constant rainfall has affected vegetable and coffee production, and saturated soils have disrupted pastureland, complicating cattle movement and affecting dairy and meat outputs.

Agriculturalist Nelson Zeledón from Cipreses de Oreamuno noted that at least 15 dry days are necessary for soil recovery after repeated fronts since November.

The combination of rain and sunny spells followed by further precipitation has led to fungus issues damaging various crops.

Zeledón, who cultivates potatoes, broccoli, and cabbage near the Irazú volcano, mentioned that Caribbean weather patterns influence their area, causing rainfall to extend to their farming lands from Limón storms.

Consequently, expected yields, such as 400 quintals of potatoes per hectare, often reduce significantly, affecting market supply and driving up prices.

The timing for crop growing cycles is also impacted, as excess rain prevents field preparation, delaying agricultural processes and leading to potential shortages in subsequent weeks.