The Kenya Meteorological Service has forecast rainfall in parts of 45 counties between October 22 and 29, warning that isolated storms in some areas could trigger flash floods.
In its latest seven-day forecast, Met said rainfall is expected in parts of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale counties, among other areas.
Other counties expected to receive rainfall include Meru, Embu, Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Laikipia, Machakos, Makueni, Migori, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and West Pokot.
Rainfall is also expected in parts of Nairobi and Marsabit counties.
The service warned that isolated storms could occur in parts of Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale, potentially leading to flash floods.
It cautioned that rainfall distribution may vary within the affected counties, with some areas receiving rain while others remain dry.
The forecast comes as Kenya enters the October-November-December short-rains season, which is important for crop production, pasture growth and replenishment of water supplies, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.
The latest outlook follows an earlier forecast issued on October 19, which projected rainfall in parts of 46 counties between October 20 and 26.
That forecast also warned of possible isolated storms in parts of Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Machakos, Laikipia, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir and Marsabit.
In a separate update issued earlier this week, the service said rainfall was expected to be above average over much of the country during the October-to-December season, although the onset and distribution would vary across regions.
The short-rains season begins as the Intertropical Convergence Zone moves southwards across East Africa, bringing increased moisture and conditions favourable for rainfall.
The Kenya Meteorological Service has said the intensity and duration of the rains are influenced by several weather systems, including the Indian Ocean Dipole, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, the Madden-Julian Oscillation and tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
The forecasts come amid continued concern among farmers over when dependable rainfall will begin, particularly in areas experiencing hot conditions and uncertainty over planting.
In the earlier outlook, daytime maximum temperatures averaging above 35 degrees Celsius were expected in parts of Garissa, Wajir, Tana River, Isiolo, Kilifi, Marsabit, Samburu and Turkana counties.
Night-time minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius were also forecast in parts of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nakuru and Kajiado.
