January 2018 had the second lowest temperature in San José in the last 16 years. The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) indicated that during that month the absolute minimum temperature was around 13.2 ºC, the same as in 2002.
The beginning of this year was influenced by the presence of atmospheric phenomena that brought rains above the average with a drop in temperatures due to the cold fronts and high pressure systems.
For example, at the end of the month, the passage of a high pressure system over the southern United States to the Atlantic Ocean maintained an influence on the Central American region and produced strong winds in a large part of the national territory.
This situation caused the arrival of moisture and cloudiness to Limón and the North Zone and heavy rains. Floods and heavy downpours were registered in the Caribbean province.
On the other hand, the IMN said that in January, the capital received 62 millimeters (mm) of rain, which translates into six times more than the usual average. That is to say, there were 11 days with rain during the whole month of January.
For February, the average rain on the Central Valley is 31 mm and the minimum temperature reaches 17.3 ºC.