Morning rains, afternoon showers to persist till April 20 – Met

The weatherman said the rainfall pattern will be characterised by intermittent morning showers.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast continued morning rains and afternoon showers over several parts of the country through Monday, April 20, with enhanced intensity expected in the Highlands both west and east of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi, and parts of the Northeastern region.

In its latest seven-day outlook covering April 14–20, the weatherman said the rainfall pattern will be characterised by intermittent morning showers followed by widespread afternoon downpours and thunderstorms in some areas.

Regions in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria Basin—including Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Narok—are expected to experience morning sunny intervals with occasional light rains before transitioning into afternoon showers and thunderstorms across several locations.

A similar pattern is projected for the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, covering Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Tharaka Nithi, Laikipia, Nyandarua, and Nairobi, where showers are expected over a few places at night, followed by light morning rains and more widespread afternoon showers.

In the northwestern region—Turkana and Samburu—partly cloudy conditions are expected at night, with mainly sunny intervals prevailing during the day.

The Northeastern counties of Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, and Isiolo will experience morning rains in a few areas, giving way to sunny intervals, before isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

In the Southeastern lowlands, including Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Taita Taveta and Kajiado, morning rains are expected in a few places—particularly around Mt Kilimanjaro—followed by sunny breaks and isolated afternoon showers.

At the Coast—Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River—showers are expected at night and in the morning over a few places, with similar conditions extending into the afternoon.

The forecast comes against the backdrop of reduced rainfall across much of the country in the previous review period.

According to the department, the week of April 6–12 was largely sunny and dry in several regions, with rainfall recorded only in isolated areas.

The highest seven-day rainfall total during that period was recorded at the Marine Port Office Station in Mombasa at 97.6mm.

The same station also registered the highest 24-hour rainfall—89.6mm on April 9.

A comparison with the preceding week (March 30 to April 5) shows that rainfall amounts generally decreased across the country, except in the Coastal region where an increase was observed.