The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory, warning Kenyans to prepare for occasional rainfall over the weekend, from Saturday, December 21 to Tuesday, December 24, as the country heads into the festive season.
According to the advisory, rainfall is expected across several regions, including the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Central and South Rift Valley, the Southeastern Lowlands, and the Coast.
Rainfall Forecast
The Highlands East counties, including Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Nairobi, are expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall over the next five days. The rain will be light in the mornings but heavy in the afternoons.
Counties in the Lake Victoria Basin, such as Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, and Nyamira, along with parts of Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Nandi, are also predicted to receive above-average rainfall, particularly in the afternoon, accompanied by thunderstorms. The department has cautioned residents to be on alert for potential flooding in these areas.
Other counties expecting similar weather patterns include Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and West Pokot.
On the coastal front, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale counties, as well as coastal parts of Tana River County, are forecast to experience light rains both in the morning and afternoon.
Temperature Advisory
With the anticipated rains, the Met Department has also issued a temperature advisory for several regions. Residents of Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Nairobi are warned to prepare for cold nights, with temperatures expected to drop below 11°C over the next five days.
In contrast, the counties of Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, and Kakamega are expected to experience high daytime temperatures exceeding 30°C. Coastal counties, including Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale, are also predicted to experience similar heat.
As the festive season approaches, the Meteorological Department has urged Kenyans to stay updated on weather forecasts and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the holiday period.
