Rainfall is expected to ease across several parts of the country this week, even as some regions continue to experience wet conditions, the Kenya Meteorological Department has said in its latest weekly outlook.
According to the department, the amount of rainfall will reduce slightly between October 7 and 13, though showers are still expected in many parts of Kenya.
Areas likely to receive rainfall include the Central Highlands, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the Coast, the South-eastern Lowlands, as well as parts of Western and North-eastern Kenya.
The department noted that daytime temperatures above 30°C are expected in sections of the Coast, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya. At the same time, some areas in the Central Highlands, the Central Rift Valley, and around Mt. Kilimanjaro may experience night-time temperatures falling below 10°C.
In its review of weather conditions between September 29 and October 5, Kenya Met reported varying amounts of rainfall across different regions, particularly in the Central Highlands, the Lake Victoria Basin, and Western Kenya. Ndune Rainfall Station in Embu County recorded the highest 24-hour rainfall of 68.3 mm on October 3.
Temperature readings during the same period showed that Mandera Meteorological Station registered the highest daily maximum temperature at 38.9°C on September 29, while Nyahururu Meteorological Station recorded the lowest daily minimum temperature of 7.6°C on the same day.
In its previous forecast covering September 30 to October 6, the department had predicted rainfall in various regions despite generally dry and sunny conditions.
The forecast highlighted the likelihood of isolated heavy downpours in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and parts of North-western Kenya.
The detailed regional outlook showed that counties in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley — including Kakamega, Bungoma, Kericho, Trans Nzoia, and Uasin Gishu — were expected to experience morning rains in a few places.
In North-western Kenya, which covers Turkana and Samburu counties, the department projected morning rains and scattered afternoon and night thunderstorms in some areas.
For the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, and Nairobi, occasional morning cloudiness was expected, followed by sunny intervals.
The forecast indicated that afternoon showers would affect a few places during the first half of the week, spreading to more areas towards the end of the period. Nights were expected to remain partly cloudy, with the possibility of isolated showers.