After nearly two overcast months of cold, Nairobians this week will enjoy some sunshine.
The good news is contained in the five-day weather forecast released by the Kenya Meteorological Department.
You will still need to dress warmly as the forecast showed the mornings will be cool and cloudy, later breaking into intervals of sunshine.
Expect afternoon showers in a few places during the afternoon, while the nights will be partly cloudy.
Director David Gikungu of the Kenya Meteorological Department said the weather in most parts of the country will be generally dry, with rain in some areas.
Rainfall is expected over several parts of the Highlands west of Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and Central and South Rift Valley.
Rain is also expected in a few areas in the Highlands east of Rift Valley and in Northwestern Kenya, Gikungu said.
Those areas are mainly in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and West Pokot counties.
Occasional cold and cloudy conditions, at times with light rain can be expected over the Highlands east of Rift Valley. The area includes Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Nairobi counties.
The same will be experienced over some parts of the southeastern lowlands (Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties), the Highlands west of Rift Valley and Central and South Rift Valley.
These counties include Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and West Pokot.
Met director Gikungu said rainfall is usually concentrated over the western region and Coastal Strip during the June-July-August (JJA) season, while the rest of the country remains generally dry.
The forecast for June-July-August indicates the Highlands west of Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, Central Rift Valley, Northwestern region, and parts of Central Kenya are likely to receive slightly above-average rainfall.
The Coastal strip is likely to experience below-average rainfall. The rest of the country is expected to be generally dry.
DROUGHT TO WORSEN
The June-July-August forecast indicates the current shortage of water, food, pasture for both humans and livestock over ASALs in the north will worsen.
This is due to the poor March-May rains and continuing drought.
The Met advised authorities and humanitarian agencies to intensify measures already in place to avert loss of lives, livestock and livelihoods.
Occasional rainfall over the Highlands west of Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, Central and South Rift Valley is likely to maintain sufficient soil moisture for agricultural production.
It is also likely to reduce the infestation of the African armyworm and the fall armyworm, the Met said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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