The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has released a new weekly forecast, warning that some parts of the country will continue to see rain while other areas may experience hot and dry conditions.
Covering the period from February 17 to 23, the report highlights counties likely to receive rainfall, areas expected to experience high daytime heat, and regions where night-time temperatures could fall sharply.
Rainfall is expected to persist in western and central Kenya, including Nairobi, and across the Lake Victoria Basin and Rift Valley, while northern counties are likely to remain dry.
"Rains are expected to continue over Western Kenya, the Central Highlands including Nairobi, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and parts of the South-eastern Lowlands. In contrast, North-eastern and North-western Kenya are likely to experience generally sunny and dry conditions," KMD stated.
The forecast indicates high daytime temperatures, particularly in lowland and coastal regions. "Daytime (maximum) temperatures above 30°C are expected in several parts of the country, including the Coast, the South-eastern Lowlands, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya," the department noted.
Conversely, cold nights are expected in elevated areas, with temperatures dropping below 10°C in some locations. "Night-time (minimum) temperatures below 10°C are expected in parts of the Central Highlands, the Central Rift Valley, Western Kenya, and areas near Mt. Kilimanjaro," KMD added.
This alert comes shortly after KMD issued its March-April-May (MAM) 2026 Long Rains Seasonal Climate Outlook, predicting mixed rainfall performance and warmer-than-average temperatures nationwide.
The seasonal report shows that while some regions may receive near-normal rainfall, others could face below-average amounts and intermittent dry spells, which may affect farming and water availability.
Regionally, the department forecasts near- to above-average rainfall for the Lake Victoria Basin, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, Nairobi, the Rift Valley, and parts of north-western Kenya. KMD cautioned that even in these areas, rain may be unevenly distributed, with isolated heavy showers possible.
For the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), including the south-eastern lowlands, north-eastern counties, and parts of the north-west, rainfall is expected to be near-average to below-average. In these regions, rain is likely to be sporadic, with dry breaks between rainy periods.
KMD also highlighted the risk of elevated temperatures across the country during the March-May season. Warmer-than-usual conditions may increase the likelihood of heat-related problems, particularly in ASALs, coastal counties, and densely populated urban centres. The department warned that higher temperatures could worsen water scarcity, increase the risk of heat illnesses, and put pressure on health and energy systems.
The Meteorological Department urged residents and sectoral stakeholders to use the forecast to prepare for potential impacts and ensure adequate planning for both rainfall and heat-related risks.
