Residents in Nairobi and several other counties across the country should prepare for chilly conditions, with temperatures expected to drop to as low as 6°C over the next five days, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned.

In its latest advisory, the agency's Director David Gikungu singled out Nairobi as one of the counties under the Highlands East of the Rift Valley that will experience extremely cold nights through the weekend. Other affected counties include Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka-Nithi.

“These areas will record minimum temperatures of 6°C. People should take necessary precautions against the cold,” Gikungu said in the advisory.

While the central and eastern highlands prepare for cold spells, the North Eastern region will experience sweltering daytime temperatures. Gikungu noted that counties such as Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo will record highs of up to 37°C during the day.

In the northwestern region, Turkana and Samburu counties are expected to experience daytime highs of 36°C. Despite the heat during the day, nighttime temperatures in these regions will drop, with Turkana expected to record lows of 7°C and northeastern counties around 16°C.

Meanwhile, the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and parts of the Rift Valley will also experience chilly nights.

Counties such as Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, and Kakamega are forecasted to see temperatures fall to 6°C at night, with average daytime highs of 29°C.

“Residents in these areas should brace for cold nights and moderate daytime temperatures,” Gikungu said.

The department cautioned that the ongoing cold season could lead to increased respiratory illnesses and foggy mornings, particularly in the highland regions.

However, warmer weather is expected in some areas. Coastal counties including Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, and coastal parts of Tana River are expected to have warmer nights at 21°C and daytime temperatures of 31°C.

In the South-eastern lowlands covering Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta, and inland Tana River, nighttime temperatures are expected at 12°C, with daytime highs around 29°C.

Gikungu also noted that the cold temperatures will be accompanied by rainfall in many regions. “Rainfall is likely over the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, parts of the Rift Valley, Northwestern Kenya (Turkana and Samburu), and the Coastal strip,” he said.

He added that the intensity of rainfall is expected to increase from Sunday, particularly in western and northwestern counties.

In Nairobi and surrounding areas, residents should expect light showers and overcast skies, which may give way to sunny intervals as the week progresses.

The Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, and parts of the Rift Valley are expected to receive thunderstorms and storms in several areas over the five-day period.

At the same time, strong southerly to south-easterly winds exceeding 25 knots (about 12.86 m/s) are forecast to blow across the Coast, the South-eastern Lowlands, and northern regions including the North Eastern and North Western parts of the country.