Residents in at least 21 counties should prepare for rainfall on Friday after the Kenya Meteorological Department forecast showers across parts of the Rift Valley, western Kenya and the Central Highlands, while warning that strong winds and rough sea conditions will affect several other regions of the country.
In its daily weather outlook, the department said most of the expected rainfall will be light to moderate, although some places could experience heavier showers during the day.
The counties expected to receive rain in the Rift Valley and western Kenya are Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, Bomet, Nandi, Meru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Nyamira and Kisii.
In the Central Highlands, Kirinyaga, Embu, Murang'a, Nyeri and Nyandarua counties are also expected to receive rainfall.
Apart from the showers, the weatherman said cool and cloudy conditions will persist in several parts of the country for much of the day. The affected areas include Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang'a, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Tharaka-Nithi, Kitui, Makueni and Kajiado.
According to the forecast, these areas will experience intermittent cloudy weather, with occasional sunny intervals expected in some locations.
The department also warned that strong winds exceeding 25 knots, equivalent to 12.5 metres per second, are expected to affect parts of Marsabit, Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Tana River, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Kitui for most of Friday.
In Nairobi, residents should expect a cool and cloudy start to the day before sunny intervals develop later. Some parts of the city could also receive light rainfall.
Daytime temperatures in the capital are forecast to range between 20°C and 24°C, while temperatures at night are expected to drop to between 12°C and 15°C.
Murang'a is also expected to experience mainly cloudy conditions during the morning, accompanied by light rain and fog in some areas. The weather is expected to improve later in the day, with sunny intervals dominating the afternoon and evening, although isolated light showers may still occur. Nights will remain partly cloudy.
Along the Coast, the Kenya Meteorological Department said dry and windy weather will dominate throughout the forecast period ending August 3.
The department, however, noted that a few areas along the coastline could experience brief morning showers during the first days of the forecast period.
Maximum daytime temperatures along the Coast are expected to range between 29°C and 30°C, while minimum temperatures will remain around 23°C.
The weatherman further warned that moderate to strong southerly winds of between 7 and 10 metres per second, or 14 to 20 knots, will continue across the coastal region during the forecast period, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions.