- Dr David Gikungu, who issued the forecast, noted this month will have a mix of dry and wet weather
- He also gave an outlook for the next three months, until end of November.
Image: KNA
The cold and drizzly weather, which is already interfering with maize harvest and drying, will continue throughout this week, the weatherman has predicted.
The unusual rains will be replaced by sunny conditions later in the month.
Dr David Gikungu, who issued the forecast, noted that this month will have a mix of dry and wet weather.
He said the rains could be near or above what Kenyans are used to this month.
“The near to above average rainfall expected over the highlands west of the Rift Valley, Lake Basin and the Rift Valley may lead to post-harvest losses in areas where harvesting is in progress,” Dr Gikungu said.
He said the specific counties expected to receive rainfall with some breaks during the month include those in the highlands west of the Rift Valley.
This include Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisii and Nyamira.
Others are in the Lake Victoria basin (Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Busia counties); the central Rift Valley (Nakuru, Baringo counties and western part of Laikipia).
Others are the southern Rift Valley (Narok county) and parts of the highlands East of the Rift Valley (parts of Nyandarua county).
“The expected total rainfall over these areas is likely to be near to above the long-term average for September,” he said.
The Mt Kenya region, which the Met calls the highlands east of the Rift Valley (Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi counties, Eastern Laikipia and parts of Nyandarua and Nairobi) is likely to experience mainly sunny and dry weather conditions for most of the month.
“However, occasional afternoon and night showers may be experienced over a few areas. Occasional cool and cloudy conditions with light rains may be experienced in the morning over a few areas especially at the beginning of the month,” Dr Gikungu said.
The expected total rainfall amount is likely to be near the long-term average for September.
The Coast will likely have dry weather throughout the month, though a few areas may experience occasional light morning showers.
The expected total rainfall amount is likely to be near to below the long-term average for September.
Northwestern Kenya (Turkana and Samburu counties) will be sunny and dry throughout the month. However, a few areas may experience occasional rainfall.
Dr Gikungu said the rest of the country (Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa counties) will be sunny and dry throughout the month.
He also gave an outlook for the next three months, until end of November.
He said the Coast, northeast, southeast and most of the highlands east of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi county, are likely to experience dry weather conditions in September and receive rain during the second half of October and in November.
A few areas over the Coast may also experience occasional light morning showers in September.
The Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, Central and South Rift Valley are likely to experience rainfall with some breaks during the forecast period.
This rainfall is expected to be above the September to November longterm means.
The temperatures are expected to be warmer than average over several parts of the country.
This is in exception to most parts of the highlands west of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin and parts of the central Rift Valley and parts of the northwest where normal to cooler than average temperatures are expected during the forecast period.