The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather across most parts of the country this week, with rainfall expected in only a few areas as Kenyans brace for a mix of hot daytime temperatures and chilly nights.
In its latest weather outlook covering August 4 to August 10, the department said much of the country will remain dry, although parts of Western Kenya and the Rift Valley are likely to receive rainfall.
Counties expected to experience rain include Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kericho, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Murang'a.
The forecast also points to cool and cloudy conditions in several counties, particularly in the Central Highlands and neighbouring regions. Residents of Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang'a, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi, Nakuru, Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, Marsabit and Wajir should expect intermittent cloudy weather during the week.
While some regions prepare for cooler conditions, daytime temperatures are forecast to remain high across large parts of northern and coastal Kenya. Average maximum temperatures are expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius in Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, Marsabit and Turkana counties.
The department has also advised residents in the Central Highlands, parts of the Rift Valley and southern Kenya to prepare for cold nights. Night-time temperatures are expected to fall below 10 degrees Celsius in parts of Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties.
The weekly outlook comes after the department released its August forecast showing that most parts of the country will continue experiencing predominantly sunny and dry weather throughout the month. Even so, intermittent cool and cloudy conditions accompanied by light rainfall are expected to continue in parts of the Central Highlands.
According to the forecast, daytime temperatures across the country will range between 16 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius, while night-time temperatures will vary between 5 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius depending on the region.
Northern and north-eastern Kenya are expected to record the highest temperatures, while the coldest nights are likely to be experienced in the Central Highlands, including Nairobi and Nyandarua.
Kenya Met also noted that average temperatures during the month are expected to remain warmer than normal despite August traditionally being one of the coldest periods of the year.
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 and parts of West Pokot and Baringo are forecast to receive below-average rainfall. Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Garissa, Taita Taveta, Kajiado and parts of Narok and Tana River are also expected to remain generally sunny and dry during the month.
Residents of Nairobi and neighbouring highland counties have been advised to continue preparing for the cold August mornings that are common at this time of the year.
"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 cautioned that isolated heavy rainfall may still occur in a few counties during the month even though overall rainfall is expected to remain near or below average across most parts of the country.