The Kenya Meteorological Department has announced that most parts of the country will remain dry over the next seven days, according to their latest forecast.
In a weather outlook report released on Tuesday, the department noted that while most areas will experience generally sunny and dry conditions, there will be light to moderate rainfall in certain regions. “Most parts of Kenya will experience generally sunny and dry conditions. However, expect light to moderate rainfall in parts of the Central Highlands, Western Kenya, Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, and the Coast,” the Meteorological Department stated.
The report also mentioned that some areas will experience low night temperatures, particularly in the Central Highlands, Central and South of the Rift Valley, and South-eastern Lowlands, where temperatures are expected to drop below 10°C. Daytime temperatures are anticipated to be high, exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in several regions.
“Prepare for high temperatures exceeding 30°C in the South Rift Valley, Coast, Western, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya during the day,” the department advised.
Earlier, the Meteorological Department had warned of a chilly and rainy September. In an interview with the Star, Director David Gikungu explained that the cold season was expected to last longer than usual this year. “The month of September has normally been one that you can pick any day for an outdoor event and you will be fine weather-wise, but that is not the case now,” he said.
Gikungu attributed the unusual weather patterns to heavy rains in Ethiopia and the impacts of climate change. “In Ethiopia, they have had very heavy rain during this season. After that, the sun starts its way towards the south, and as it moves, it will be overhead at the Equator sometime this month. Whenever it is overhead, it is followed by a cloud bunch, which is causing rainfall over western Kenya,” he explained.
He added that the cloud cover is preventing intensive heat from the sun and noted that changes in climatic patterns are contributing to the current weather conditions.