Expect widespread rains, storms across regions this week, Met warns

Nairobi residents wading through water. /FILE

The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall in several parts of the country at the start of the week, warning residents to stay alert for possible storms.

In its latest outlook, the weather agency said rain is expected across multiple regions, including the Northeastern, Coastal region, the Highlands East of the Rift Valleycovering Nairobias well as the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and parts of the Rift Valley.

Some areas of the Southeastern lowlands are also likely to receive rainfall, although coverage may be less widespread.

Kenya Met further cautioned that isolated storms could accompany the rains in affected regions, increasing the likelihood of sudden weather changes.

Residents are encouraged to keep track of regular updates from the meteorological department, especially those in flood-prone and storm-affected areas, to minimise potential risks.

On Thursday, Kenya Met 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 a 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.