The rains, which have been a rarity from July to August over the years, are expected to bring about significant disruption in terms of transportation and daily routines.
The very cold nights witnessed of late are expected to continue, with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) also predicting substantial rainfall across the Nairobi Highlands and Rift Valley regions from August 10 to August 14 as well as thunderstorms in several counties.
With the forecast covering a nationwide scale, the rains, which have been a rarity from July to August over the years, are expected to bring about significant disruption in terms of transportation and daily routines.
Temperatures in the aforementioned areas are forecasted to range from a chilly 7°C to a milder 25°C, creating a mix of cold and damp conditions.
The Highlands both east and west of the Rift Valley, alongside North-western Kenya and the Rift Valley, are expected to bear the brunt of the downpour. Residents in Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu and Tharaka are among those joining Nairobi in experiencing the wet spell.
Kenya Meteorological Department Director David Gikungu speaking during a past event. /FILE
The mixture of chilly and wet conditions will present a challenge to Kenyans who are keeping themselves warm during their travels as well as at home over the course of the cold season.
Furthermore, the counties of Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, and Nakuru will also face heavy rains, with thunderstorms forecasted to add to the mix.
Counties such as Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and West Pokot have not been left out of the weather alert, with the forecast predicting a steady downpour over the next five days.
While the rains are a welcome relief for farmers, the likelihood of landslides in these hilly regions cannot be ignored. Therefore, the Meteorological Department urged residents in these areas to take necessary precautions, particularly in light of potential flash floods and other weather-related hazards.
David Gikungu, Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, highlighted the diverse weather patterns across the country, noting, “Rainfall is expected to persist in various parts of the Highlands, both East and West of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley itself, the Coast, and North-western Kenya.”
Residents in Nairobi, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka, and Nyandarua should also brace for very cold nights, with temperatures dropping below 6°C, a tall order for some in acclimatizing with the sudden change in weather and temperature patterns.
In the Southeastern lowlands, covering Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta, sunny skies are expected to dominate, though clouds may make a brief appearance throughout the weekend. A similar forecast applies to Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo, where warm and sunny days will be tempered by occasional morning cloud cover.
For residents in Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka, and Nairobi, the nights will bring another challenge: very cold temperatures plunging below 6°C. Such chilly conditions could impact vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those without adequate shelter.
Conversely, areas on the Coast, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya will experience high daytime temperatures exceeding 30°C, a stark contrast to the cold nights elsewhere.
However, it does not mean that coastal regions, traditionally warmer and drier, will be scot-free, with moderate rainfall expected on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday.
