Dry, sunny spell to extend over the coming week, Weatherman says

Most parts of the country are expected to experience dry days and remain largely sunny for a better part of this weekend until next week, even as the country continues to take additional caution over warnings over impending the El-Niño rainfall. 

This is according to the latest weather forecast report by the Kenya Meteorological Department, which says that many parts of the country will experience sunny days in the next week.

The predictions by the department are for the period between October 10 and October 16, 2023, and come at a time when a majority of Kenyans and government agencies continue to anticipate the much-predicted El-Niño phenomena across the country. 

The met department argued that save for areas within Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and at the Coast, most parts of the country are expected to experience more sunny days.

The report indicates that some parts of the highlands east and west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the Coast, the South-eastern lowlands and North-eastern Kenya are the only areas that are likely to receive rainfall.

“Additionally, the high average daytime (maximum) temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius are expected over several parts of the country including the Coast, North-eastern and Northwestern Kenya,” the department says. 

A regional breakdown of the report shows that areas in the highlands west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and the Rift Valley are likely to experience sunny mornings with occasional rains occurring over a few places.

Also, afternoon showers and thunderstorms will likely occur over a few places, spreading to several places during the second half of the forecast period.

Some of the counties in this region include Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Busia, Migori, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West-Pokot counties.

“Nights are likely to be partly cloudy, though showers may occur over a few places during the second half of the forecast period,” the report argues. 

In North-western Kenya, which includes Turkana and Samburu counties, days are likely to be sunny and nights partly cloudy. 

However, morning rains, afternoon and night showers, and thunderstorms may occur over a few places during the second half of the forecast period.

“Lodwar will experience high maximum (day-time) temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius, and nights will also be warm with minimum temperatures approaching 25 degrees Celsius.

“Maralal will be cooler with maximum (day-time) temperatures rising to 28 degrees Celsius while minimum (night-time) temperatures will go down to 13 degrees Celsius,” the report notes. 

In the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi, Nyandarua, Laikipia,

Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties, occasional cloudiness is expected in the morning, giving way to sunny intervals. Afternoon showers are likely to occur over a few places. 

Nights are expected to be partly cloudy, though showers may occur over a few places during the second half of the forecast period. 

The Maximum (day-time) temperatures will rise to 32 degrees Celsius in Thika, while minimum (night-time) temperatures will be as low as 12 degrees Celsius.

Nyahururu will be generally cool, with maximum (day-time) temperatures not exceeding 25 degrees Celsius and minimum (night-time) temperatures dropping to 6 degrees Celsius.

The North-eastern Kenya counties of Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo will experience sunny days and cloudy nights. However, morning rains and afternoon and night showers may occur over a few places during the second half of the forecast period.

Down at the Coast, days will likely be sunny and nights partly cloudy. However, occasional morning and early afternoon showers may occur over a few places during the second half of the forecast period.