Kenya is set to experience a brief reduction in rainfall this week before showers resume towards the weekend, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department. In its latest weather outlook for March 11-17, 2025, the department forecasts that while rainfall will ease in most parts of the country midweek, isolated heavy downpours may occur at the start and end of the week.
Regions expected to receive rainfall include the Highlands west and east of the Rift Valley covering Nairobi the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, South-eastern Lowlands, the Coast, and parts of Northwestern and Northeastern Kenya.
Despite the temporary lull in rainfall, the department has cautioned that showers will intensify toward the end of the forecast period. It also warns that temperatures will remain high in some areas, with the Coast, Northeastern, and Northwestern regions experiencing daytime highs above 30°C. Conversely, the Highlands east of the Rift Valley, the Central Rift Valley, and the Mt. Kilimanjaro region will endure chilly nights, with temperatures dropping below 10°C.
The Met Department has urged Kenyans to stay informed and take necessary precautions, particularly in areas vulnerable to heavy rains and fluctuating temperatures. Nairobi and several parts of the country recently experienced significant rainfall from Sunday evening through Tuesday.
According to the March 2025 monthly weather outlook released on February 28, the country is expected to receive near-to-above-average rainfall in several regions, while others may experience below-average precipitation.
Director of Meteorological Services, David Gikungu, has advised farmers to prepare accordingly and work closely with local agricultural extension officers to maximize the benefits of the anticipated rainfall. The showers come as a relief for many areas that have been suffering from dry and dusty conditions.
The expected rainfall has been attributed to the influence of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), a weather pattern that moves clouds, rain, and storms from west to east along the equator every 30 to 60 days. When the MJO is active in a region, it typically results in increased rainfall and storms.
Gikungu noted that the MJO is forecasted to enter phase two by the second week of March, potentially triggering an earlier-than-expected onset of rainfall in some parts of the country.
