Nairobi residents brave early morning rainfall and chilly weather on April 29 /FILEMost parts of Kenya are forecast to experience predominantly sunny and dry weather in August, although intermittent cool, cloudy conditions accompanied by light rain will persist in parts of the Central Highlands, the Kenya Meteorological Department has said.
Temperatures will vary considerably across the country, with daytime highs forecast to range from 16°C to 37°C, while night-time temperatures will range between 5°C and 26°C, depending on the region.
The hottest conditions are expected in parts of the north and north-east, while the coldest nights are forecast in the Central Highlands, including Nairobi and Nyandarua.
In its monthly forecast, Kenya Met said mean temperatures are expected to remain warmer than average across the country despite the typically chilly August conditions experienced in some regions.
Areas expected to receive near-average to below-average rainfall include parts of Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Siaya, Vihiga, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kisumu, Kericho, Nyamira, Kisii, Bomet, Migori, Homa Bay, Narok and the coastal counties of Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale and parts of Tana River.
Meanwhile, Turkana, Samburu, parts of West Pokot and Baringo are forecast to receive below-average rainfall, while Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Garissa, Taita Taveta, Kajiado and parts of Narok and Tana River are expected to remain generally sunny and dry.
Residents of Nairobi and neighbouring highland counties should, however, continue to experience the familiar cold August mornings.
"Intermittent cool and cloudy conditions with occasional rainfall are expected over parts of Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang'a, Nyeri, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Makueni, Kitui and Machakos counties," Kennedy Thiong'o, deputy director and senior meteorologist at the Kenya Meteorological Department, said.
"Mean temperatures are predicted to be warmer than average throughout the country," he added, signalling that despite the cool spells associated with August, temperatures will generally remain above the long-term average.
The weatherman also noted that isolated heavy rainfall cannot be ruled out in a few counties during the month, even though overall rainfall is projected to be near or below average.
It builds on the July rain conditions where a review of the month's weather patterns indicate that rainfall remained below average across much of the country except in a handful of counties—including Busia, Siaya, Vihiga, Kisumu, Kericho, Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Homa Bay, Migori, Nyandarua and Nairobi—which recorded near-average to above-average rainfall.
Rainfall totals varied significantly, with Kisii Meteorological Station recording the highest monthly total of 152 millimetres.
In contrast, Marsabit, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Makueni meteorological stations recorded no rainfall during the period under review.
Mean temperatures were also warmer than average across all stations nationwide.
Looking beyond August, Kenya Met projects that much of the country will continue experiencing dry conditions through August and September before scattered rainfall develops in October.
The outlook indicates below-average rainfall is likely in parts of the North Rift, western Kenya and the Lake Victoria Basin, while some coastal and north-eastern counties are expected to receive above-average rainfall, with most of it falling in October.
Parts of Nairobi and the Central Highlands are expected to continue experiencing occasional cool, cloudy conditions with light rainfall into early September before the seasonal rains begin in October.
Temperatures are forecast to remain warmer than average during the August-September-October period.
"This outlook should be used together with the 24-hour, 5-day, 7-day and special forecasts as well as regular updates and advisories issued by this Department," Thiong'o said.
