Met: Rain expected to continue across Kenya this week

Kenyans walking in the rain in Nairobi/FILE

Rainfall is expected to continue in several parts of the country this week, with the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasting wet conditions in western Kenya, the Rift Valley, the Coast and parts of northeastern Kenya.

In its latest weekly weather forecast, Kenya Met said rainfall is likely over the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the Coastal region and parts of northeastern Kenya.

“Rainfall is likely to continue over the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the Coastal region, and parts of North-eastern Kenya,” the department said.

The weather agency also forecast cool and cloudy conditions in parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley and the South-eastern Lowlands.

“Cool and cloudy conditions are expected in parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley and the South-eastern Lowlands, with occasional light rainfall,” Kenya Met said.

The forecast indicates that counties around the Lake Victoria Basin and parts of western Kenya are likely to continue receiving moderate rainfall during the week.

Areas in the Central Rift Valley and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley are also expected to experience intermittent rainfall, maintaining the wet conditions that have persisted in recent weeks.

Along the Coast, rainfall is expected to continue, although the heaviest precipitation is forecast over the adjacent Indian Ocean.

Parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including areas around Nairobi and the central highlands, are expected to remain generally cool and cloudy, with occasional light showers.

Meanwhile, large sections of northern and eastern Kenya are forecast to remain largely dry.

Arid and semi-arid counties in the northeast are expected to experience little or no rainfall, although isolated showers may occur in some areas.

Kenya Met further said daytime temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius are likely in the Coast and northern Kenya.

“Daytime temperatures above 30°C are expected in the Coast and northern Kenya, while night-time temperatures below 10°C are likely in parts of the East of the Rift Valley and Central Rift Valley,” the department said.

Residents in high-altitude areas could continue experiencing chilly mornings and nights, especially in parts of the Central Rift Valley and the central highlands.

The weather outlook comes as the country transitions into the June-July-August season.

In its seasonal forecast for the June-July-August period, Kenya Met projected near-average to below-average rainfall over the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley and northwestern Kenya.

The department also indicated that the Coast is likely to receive near-average to above-average rainfall during the season.

The Highlands East of the Rift Valley are expected to experience cool and cloudy conditions accompanied by light rains, while the South-eastern Lowlands and much of northeastern Kenya are forecast to remain generally sunny and dry.

Kenya Met further projected warmer-than-average temperatures across most parts of the country during the season, although cool and cloudy conditions with occasional fog are expected in parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, sections of the Rift Valley, the South-eastern Lowlands and Marsabit county.