Kenya is set to experience a mix of rainfall and high temperatures during the week ending October 5, with the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasting showers in several parts of the country.
The latest weekly outlook indicates that coastal areas could receive morning showers, while western Kenya and sections of the Rift Valley are likely to experience rainfall and thunderstorms mainly in the afternoon.
The forecast covers parts of more than 30 counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Machakos, Makueni, Murang’a, Kitui, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Nyamira and others.
Some western counties could see thunderstorms during the afternoon. The areas highlighted include Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, Narok, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet.
The weather is also expected to remain hot in parts of northern and eastern Kenya. Maximum temperatures could rise beyond 30°C in areas such as Turkana, Marsabit, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River and parts of the western region.
Mandera and Lodwar are forecast to reach about 38°C, while Wajir could hit 36°C and Garissa 35°C. Kisumu may reach 33°C, while temperatures in Mombasa could peak at 30°C.
Some highland areas, however, will experience considerably colder nights. Minimum temperatures below 10°C are possible in parts of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Narok, Taita Taveta and Kajiado.
Nairobi is expected to record temperatures of about 28°C during the day and 11°C at night. Nyahururu could remain particularly cold, with a forecast minimum of 5°C.
The latest weather assessment also highlighted significant conditions recorded during the previous week. Kibabii University station in Bungoma registered 125.1mm of rainfall over seven days, the highest total recorded between September 21 and 27.
Migori’s Miyare station recorded the highest rainfall within a single 24-hour period, receiving 61.2mm on September 21.
Temperature records from the same period showed Mandera reaching 38.3°C on September 27. Nyahururu recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 5.1°C.
Lodwar had the highest seven-day average maximum temperature at 37.2°C, while Nyahururu posted the lowest seven-day average minimum of 7.2°C.
The Meteorological Department has advised the public to keep checking its shorter-term forecasts because weather conditions can change during the week. More detailed forecasts are also available through county meteorological offices.