Meteorologists forecast more downpours this afternoon as Costa Rica heads into the wettest part of its rainy season, September and October.

Hail fell yesterday over Cartago, the old capital, and Turrialba, both east of San José, meteorologist Rebeca Morera said. Hail is not unusual during the rainy season, which is intensifying along the Pacific and Central Valley, Morera said.

Costa Rica's Caribbean side, however, is enjoying a mix of hot sunshine and sporadic rain, she added.

The institute predicts the season to end sometime from Nov. 2 to 6 in the Northern Zone, Dec. 7 to 11 on the Central Pacific, Dec. 12 to 16 in the Southern Zone and Dec. 12 to 21 in the Central Valley.

Early Monday afternoon, the damaging gusts that swept through San José and Alajuela were “strong winds” and not a tornado as initially reported, according to meteorologist José Joaquín Agüero.