Most parts of Kenya are set for a mainly dry week, although several counties in the Rift Valley, western Kenya and the central highlands are expected to continue receiving intermittent rainfall between July 28 and August 3, according to the latest weather forecast from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
In its weekly outlook released on Tuesday, the department said counties such as Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Murang’a are likely to record rainfall during the seven-day period, even as dry conditions remain the dominant weather pattern across much of the country.
The forecast also points to cool and cloudy conditions from time to time in parts of Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang’a, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Tharaka-Nithi counties.
“Most parts of the country are expected to be generally dry. However, some counties including Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Murang’a may receive rainfall,” the department said.
While some regions prepare for rainfall, residents in northern and coastal Kenya have been advised to expect high daytime temperatures. Maximum average temperatures are forecast to rise above 30°C across large parts of Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu and Turkana counties.
Mandera is expected to record the highest daytime temperature at 37°C. Lodwar will follow with highs of 36°C, while Garissa is forecast to reach 35°C and Wajir 34°C.
At the same time, cold nights are expected to continue in parts of the central highlands, where minimum temperatures are likely to fall below 10°C in sections of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties.
Nyahururu is forecast to experience the coldest nights during the period, with temperatures expected to drop to 7°C. In Nairobi, temperatures are expected to range between daytime highs of 28°C and nighttime lows of 11°C.
According to the department, morning showers may occur in Siaya, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu and Turkana. Morning cloud cover accompanied by light rainfall is also expected in Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang’a, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Tharaka-Nithi.
Later in the day, afternoon showers and thunderstorms are likely in parts of Baringo, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Embu, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kisumu, Kisii, Laikipia, Meru, Migori, Murang’a, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and West Pokot.
The department further said night showers are expected in Kisumu, Kakamega, Kisii, Nyamira, Vihiga, West Pokot, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori counties, while the rest of the country is expected to experience partly cloudy skies during the night.