The Kenya Meteorological Department (Kenya Met) has issued a warning for Kenyans to brace themselves for another week of extreme weather conditions. This announcement, made on Friday, July 26, signals that the severe weather patterns experienced over the past week are expected to continue. The department’s forecast details continued rainfall and notably cold temperatures, affecting various regions across the country.
Kennedy Thiong’o, Director of Meteorological Services, elaborated on the anticipated conditions, emphasizing that rainfall is expected to persist over several key regions. According to Thiong’o, “Rainfall is expected to continue over parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Central Rift Valley, and Northwestern Kenya.” This broad area of concern includes many of Kenya’s key geographical zones, suggesting widespread impacts on local weather patterns.
The forecast for Saturday, July 27, indicates that rain will be prevalent across multiple regions. The morning will bring showers to several locations, while afternoon rain is anticipated over high-ground areas, including Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka, and Nairobi Counties. These regions are also expected to experience evening showers, continuing the pattern of frequent precipitation.
On Sunday, the weather is predicted to mirror Saturday’s conditions. Cloudy skies are expected to give way to sunny intervals in the morning, followed by afternoon showers over high-ground areas. The evening will bring partly cloudy conditions. This pattern of weather is forecasted to persist through Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with a particular likelihood of rainfall on Tuesday evening.
For regions such as the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley, including Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and West Pokot Counties, the weather will feature morning rain followed by afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. This extended pattern suggests that these areas will experience significant weather disturbances throughout the week.
Temperature-wise, the forecast predicts that these regions will see temperatures ranging from highs of 30°C to lows of 8°C. The weekly forecast also indicates that some parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Southeastern lowlands, and the Rift Valley will experience night temperatures dropping below 10°C. These cooler temperatures will impact daily life and potentially influence health and wellbeing, as people in these areas will need to adjust to the chill.
In Nairobi, temperatures are expected to range between 10°C and 15°C, with similar conditions anticipated in Embu, Machakos, Kiambu, Narok, Taita Taveta, Makueni, and parts of Laikipia. Regions such as Tharaka Nithi, Nyeri, Meru, and Kajiado counties are predicted to experience temperatures between 8°C and 10°C, with maximum temperatures reaching up to 27°C.
The Coastal region of Kenya, in contrast, will experience relatively warmer conditions with sunny intervals. On Saturday, maximum temperatures are expected to reach 29°C, while minimum temperatures will be around 21°C. However, a drop in temperatures is forecasted for Sunday, with lows of 11°C and highs of 30°C.
As the country prepares for another week of severe weather, the Kenya Meteorological Department advises the public to stay informed and make necessary preparations to cope with the ongoing rain and cold temperatures. The department’s warnings aim to ensure that residents are well-prepared for the challenging conditions and can take appropriate measures to safeguard their health and wellbeing during this period of extreme weather.
