El Niño / La Niña impact — currently El Niño conditions emerging
El Niño · active now
Drier Pacific slope; water stress, but wetter Caribbean side.
La Niña
Wetter Pacific slope; flooding risk.
7-day forecast — Costa Rica
Open-MeteoSettled week ahead — highs near 28°, little rain (7mm total). No weather precautions needed.
- ⚠ River flood watch: discharge +57% vs normal (peak Wed)
Fri
Drizzle
26° / 18°
💧 84% · 1mm
🌬 16 km/h
Sat
Drizzle
26° / 20°
💧 97% · 1mm
🌬 14 km/h
Sun
Cloudy
27° / 19°
💧 21% · 0mm
🌬 16 km/h
Mon
Drizzle
26° / 18°
💧 100% · 1mm
🌬 13 km/h
Tue
Drizzle
27° / 19°
💧 100% · 2mm
🌬 10 km/h
Wed
Drizzle
27° / 19°
💧 100% · 1mm
🌬 11 km/h
Thu
Drizzle
28° / 19°
💧 100% · 2mm
🌬 11 km/h
Emergency resources
Costa Rica · call now or find nearby
ACTIVE EVENTS — Costa Rica (0)
No active events recorded in Costa Rica right now.
How to prepare
Full guide ↗Drought & water scarcity
El Niño can bring prolonged dry spells, crop failure, water and energy stress, and wildfire conditions.
Before
- Store water and prioritise drinking/cooking use; fix leaks.
- Plant drought-tolerant crops; conserve soil moisture (mulching).
- Track official seasonal forecasts and water-restriction notices.
During
- Follow water-rationing rules; reuse greywater for plants where safe.
- Protect livestock with shade and water; reduce herd if advised.
- Watch for heat and wildfire risk that often accompany drought.
After
- Rebuild water stores before the next dry season.
- Assess soil and replant with resilient varieties.
Extreme heat
El Niño years frequently bring record heat, dangerous to health, agriculture and energy.
Before
- Identify cool places (air-conditioned buildings) you can reach.
- Check on elderly, infants, outdoor workers and people with chronic illness.
- Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles.
During
- Drink water regularly even before you feel thirsty; avoid alcohol and heavy meals.
- Stay indoors during peak heat; wear light, loose clothing; limit exertion.
- Know heat-stroke signs (confusion, hot/dry skin, fainting) — call emergency services and cool the person.
After
- Keep hydrating; watch vulnerable people for delayed heat illness.
Wildfire & smoke
Drought and heat raise wildfire risk; smoke (PM2.5) harms health far from the fire.
Before
- Create defensible space — clear dry vegetation around buildings.
- Prepare N95/FFP2 masks and a plan to seal indoor air; ready a go-bag.
- Sign up for local fire alerts and know multiple evacuation routes.
During
- Evacuate early when told — fire moves faster than you expect.
- If trapped by smoke, stay indoors, close windows, run air filtration; wear N95 outdoors.
- Check live air-quality (AQI) before any outdoor activity.
After
- Return only when cleared; watch for hotspots, ash and weakened trees.
- Keep masks on during clean-up; ash can be toxic.