COSTA RICA NEWS — The average rainfall on a September afternoon is about 20 millimetres (mm). The Central Valley on Friday more than doubled the average reaching 50 mm, said the national weather institute, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN).
Gabriela Chinchilla, meteorologist for the IMN, explained that the situation was similar in many other parts of the country, in places like the Zurquís, Tilarán, Angostura, Abangares and Pérez Zeledón.
“In just a few hours the Friday afternoon rains exceeded the average, in some places by two or three times,” said Chinchilla.
The meteorologist is forecast much of the same through the weekend: lots of rain, thunderstorms and lightning.
September and October are the months with the heaviest rainfall during the rainy season that lasts from May to November of each year, with a two week lull at the end of June, beginning of July, also known as the “Veranillo de San Juan”.
Editor’s note: If you live in the Central Valley, the following personal observations may help you in taking proper cover:
- The typical seasonal rains come from the east, the darker the clouds, the greater the intensity of the rain.
- If the clouds come in from the north, through Heredia, for example, you can expect from moderate to heavy rains
- If coming from the northwest, expect severe rain, with lightning and thunderstorms
- Hot, sunny and muggy morning typically will be followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon
You could once set the time by the rains: 1pm in San Pedro, 1:30pm in downtown San José, 2pm in Escazú, clear skies by the evening. Today, it can rain late in the afternoon or not rain at all; downpours in the early evening and extended rain into the night; an unusual number of grey, overcast mornings, with even rain on some days.
The last word is for pet owners. Some dogs stress out during thunderstorms, prepate a “safe” place for them to hide out, of my three dogs only one is affected by the thunder, she likes to hide under the bed or under my feet at my desk or couch. Don’t fight it, if you stress out, it will only cause more stress for your dog and so begins a vicious circle.
