Most parts of Kenya will remain dry over the weekend, although some regions should prepare for scattered showers, chilly mornings and strong winds, according to the latest forecast from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
The outlook suggests that dry conditions will be the dominant weather pattern on July 3 and 4, with rain expected mainly in parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley. The forecast also points to cold and cloudy conditions in sections of the central highlands, even as temperatures climb above 30 degrees Celsius in the country’s coastal and arid regions.
The department warned that strong southerly to south-easterly winds exceeding 25 knots are likely to affect parts of Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Makueni, Kitui and the coastal counties.
“Strong southerly to southeasterly winds of above 25 knots (12.5m/s) are expected over parts of Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Makueni, Kitui and the coastal counties,” Kenya Met said in its daily weather update.
While much of the country is expected to stay dry, the department said rainfall will continue in some areas over the coming days. Its seven-day forecast indicates that parts of the Rift Valley, Nyanza, western Kenya, central Kenya and the Lake Victoria Basin could receive morning rain followed by isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Some areas may also experience rain at night.
In the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties, mornings are expected to remain cloudy throughout the forecast period. Light rain may fall in a few places before conditions brighten later in the day, with isolated showers possible during the afternoon and evening.
Elsewhere, the north-eastern and south-eastern regions are forecast to experience mostly sunny weather during the day, with partly cloudy skies overnight.
The department also highlighted sharp contrasts in temperatures across the country. Daytime temperatures are expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius in parts of the Coast, North Eastern and North Western Kenya. Meanwhile, some highland areas will continue to experience cold nights.
“Night-time (minimum) average temperatures are expected to be less than 10°C in a few areas in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Central Rift Valley and in the vicinity of Mt. Kilimanjaro,” the department said.
Meteorologists say the mixed conditions reflect Kenya’s cool season, which is typically marked by cold mornings and evenings in the highlands, occasional rainfall in some regions and warmer weather across the country’s arid and coastal areas.
Residents in areas expected to experience strong winds have been urged to take precautions, while those in regions forecast to receive rain are advised to prepare for isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
Although scattered rainfall is expected in some parts of the country, dry weather is set to remain the defining feature across much of Kenya through the weekend.
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