The Costa Rica National Meteorological Institute (IMN)informed today that according to the most recent studies and the indicators of the atmosphere and the ocean, the current conditions correspond to the beginning phase of a new episode of La Niña phenomenon.

The forecasts indicate that this event will not be of great magnitude and could extend through March of April of 2018.

La Niña, the direct opposite of El Niños, is a climatic and oceanic phenomenon that forms part of a natural cycle known as El Niño-South Oscillatio. A global cycle with two extreme phases: a warm phase known as El Niño and a cold phase known as La Niña; which occurs when the sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean drop to lower-than-normal levels.

The cooling of this area of water, yields impacts around the globe; this episode of La Niña is presenting itself less than a year since the last one finalized; the formation of hurricanes such as Otto in November of 2016 were attributed in great measure to this phenomenon.

La Niña was officially declared now by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the International Research Institute of Climate and Society , however, the influence in Costa Rica has been present since the month of September, precisely when the cooling of the ocean was surpassing average values; which is why, the intense rainy season this year in the Pacific coast can be in great measure attributed to the development of this phenomenon.

The IMN provided its forecast for the trimester of November 2017 to January 208 which contemplates the following:

1. Rainy Conditions: Central and South Pacific
2. Normal Conditions: North Pacific, Central Valley, North Zone and North Caribbean
3. Dry Conditions: South Caribbean
4. Delay for one or two weeks of the end of the rainy season
5. Normal air temperatures
6. Less active cold front season
7. Intensity of winds under average

La Niña however is not the only factor that determines the weather conditions in the country. The IMN will continue to study this phenomenon to get better ideas on its intensity and duration as well as possible effects over the country.