-
Rainfall is, however, expected in some parts of the Central Highlands, Western Kenya, the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, and the Coast.
-
During the daytime, temperatures will be over 30 degrees Celsius in the South Rift Valley, Coast, South-eastern lowlands, Western, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya.
Image: FILE
Kenyans can expect clear skies and warm conditions for the better part of the week, the Kenya Meteorology Department has said in a weather forecast for the week of September 17-23
The weather map shows that the week will be largely sunny and dry in most parts of the country.
Rainfall is, however, expected in some parts of the Central Highlands, Western Kenya, the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, and the Coast.
During the daytime, the map shows that temperatures will be over 30 degrees Celsius in the South Rift Valley, Coast, South-eastern lowlands, Western, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya.
Conversely, nighttime temperatures in the Central Highlands, Central Rift Valley, and South-eastern lowlands will drop considerably, falling below 10 degrees Celsius.
These cooler temperatures are expected to bring a noticeable chill after sunset, contrasting sharply with the daytime warmth.
The weatherman has also predicted localized showers in the highland and coastal regions.
These sporadic rain showers are expected to provide some relief from the heat and contribute to the overall weather variability in these areas.
Residents in these regions have been urged to remain alert prepared for possible brief periods of rainfall.
Earlier this month, the Met department advised authorities to prepare for possible drought in large swathes of eastern Kenya, caused by a La Nina that is expected to develop this month.
However, the meteorological department said this will be a weak La Nina, quelling fears of countrywide drought.
Met director David Gikungu said in a three-month (October-December) forecast, that western Kenya is still likely to get near to above-average rains.
Central Kenya is expected to have a poor to fair distribution of rain, beginning next month.
However, the rains will reduce drastically as you move towards eastern Kenya and the border with Somalia.
“This will be driven by weak La Nina conditions which are likely to develop during September to November and persist into early 2025 and a neutral Indian Ocean Dipole,” he said.
La Niña has the opposite effect of El Niño. It is associated with depressed rainfall.
The weatherman said the country should maximise production, even with little rains, to offset the effects of drought.
“The expected deficit in rainfall over the eastern sector of the country is likely to cause a slide into the alert phase of the drought early warning system, which might progress to the alarm worsening phase as the season progresses,” Gikungu said.
He said the short (October-December) rains will begin late in most places, except in western Kenya where the ongoing rains will continue.
The predicted onsets, cessations and distribution of rainfall were derived from the year 2020, which appears to have similar weather to 2024.
“The rainfall outcomes for this analogue (similar) year are for reference only and should not be interpreted as part of the forecast. Rather, they provide a sense of the rainfall outcomes that can occur given broadly similar global climate conditions,” he said.
The specific forecast shows the ongoing rainfall in western Kenya will not stop, but continue through September to December.
This region refers to Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Baringo, Nakuru, parts of Narok, parts of Laikipia and western Nyandarua.