Costa Rica Climate
Costa Rica’s climate is hot all year on the plains and along the coasts, but warmer on the plateau, or in the so-called tierras templadas.
Because the country is so close to the Equator, temperature differences are minimal, hence the main difference between seasons is found in the rains. In any case, the majority of the country is covered in rainforests due to the heavy rainfall.
There is a dry season from December to April on the Pacific coast and a rainy season from May to November on the plateau, with considerable rainfall.
The climate is tropical in the eastern plains and coastlines (but also in the southernmost section of the Pacific coast), with copious rainfall all year.
On the most recent climatology, 1991-2020, this page provides high-level information for Costa Rica’s climate zones and seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation.
The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system separates climates into five primary climate groups based on seasonal precipitation and temperature trends. Climate zones are formed from this system.
A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (extreme) are the five primary groupings (polar). A seasonal precipitation sub-group is assigned to all climates except those in the E group (second letter).
Hovering your cursor over the legend reveals the climate categories. Following the visuals, a narrative description of Costa Rica’s nation setting and climate is offered.
Costa Rica Climate Change Affect
Costa Rica has built a diverse economy that includes tourism, agricultural exports (mostly bananas, pineapples, and coffee), and light industry.
Costa Rica is well-known for its tremendous biodiversity and efforts to conserve it by placing more than 26% of its territory under protection (including the micro-processors and pharmaceuticals).
Costa Ricans enjoy the best level of living in Central America, with an average per capita income of US$10570 (USDS, 2011).
Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus, and its northern and southern borders are shared with Nicaragua and Panama, respectively.
Costa Rica has a total area of 51,100 km2, with 51,060 km2 of land and 40 km2 of water. Costa Rica is a small country sandwiched between two oceans, making it particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change.
Floods and storms have had the greatest human and economic impact on Costa Rica in recent years (between 2001 and 2008). Costa Rica Climate is located in the Neotropic ecozone and has a tropical and subtropical climate.
Costa Rica Climate and Seasonal Hazards
In most parts of Costa Rica, the dry season runs from December to April, while the rainy season runs from May to November. However, December is by far the wettest month on the Caribbean coast. It is always cooler in the highlands.
The lowest elevations in the country are at sea level on the western and eastern shores. Cerro Chirripó, a volcanic peak at an elevation of 3,810 m (12,500 ft) (part of Chirripó National Park), is the highest point.
As part of the project, the Netherlands Government provided financial support for climate change vulnerability research through the Institute for Environmental Studies and the Coastal Zone Management Centre.
Costa Rican Climate Change Research Coastal areas, agriculture, and forest ecosystems were the three sectors analyzed in this project, which took into account different climate scenarios.
A rise in sea level driven by rising world average temperatures could result in actual shoreline transgressions and an increase in the quantity of land subject to tide inundation along the 1300 km coastline.
In the agricultural sector, research have shown that climate variability can affect crop production, that temperatures can affect crop growth in all phases, that water deficits can impair crop efficiency, and that biomass levels would be reduced.
In terms of forest coverage, tropical, humid premontane, and very humid montane life zone forests may see considerable reductions, whereas humid and extremely humid premontane forest coverage may grow.
Costa Rica Climate with Global Climate Change
Costa Rica is one of the hotspots where meteorological conditions will affect the country’s current landscape in the next 50 years, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Temperatures would rise 3-6 degrees Celsius by 2070, according to National Meteorological Institute (IMN) predictions, compared to 1961-1990 average temperatures.
The National Meteorological Institute recently predicted that Costa Rica will have more severe weather in the next months as a result of the persistent effects of El Nio, which has yet to reach its peak in the country.
El Nio, which is responsible for extreme weather conditions such as floods and drought, is linked to changes in rainfall patterns and amounts, as well as temperature surges (IMN meteorologist Luis Fernando Alvarado).
Guanacaste, in the northwestern province of Costa Rica, has already recorded the greatest rainfall deficit since the IMN began keeping data in 1937.
Costa Rica’s National Climate Change Strategy (ENCC) and Plan of Action, as well as advancements in the Framework Law on Costa Rica Climate Change, are examples of activities that have been promoted throughout the country to meet these goals.
The ENCC stresses mitigation, adaptation, technology, education, and finance, with the objective of integrating climate change policy with the country’s long-term competitiveness and sustainable development strategy.
reference – climateknowledgeportal.worldbank,adaptation-undp