The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecasted persistent rainfall in most regions of the country throughout the week.
In its weather outlook covering March 25 to March 31, the department indicated that some areas would experience isolated heavy downpours. According to the forecast, the highlands both east and west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley itself, parts of the southeastern lowlands, and northeastern Kenya are likely to record intense rainfall events.
Temperature projections for the period show that daytime highs could reach 30°C in the coastal, northeastern, and northwestern parts of the country. Meanwhile, nighttime temperatures in the central highlands and central Rift Valley may drop to around 10°C.
The weatherman also noted that the long rains, expected between March and May, had already commenced in some parts of the country, with more areas set to receive rainfall soon.
The Kenya Met explained that the start of the rainy season is characterized by consistent wet conditions, where at least 20mm of rainfall is recorded over three consecutive days, with no dry spell lasting a week or more within the following three weeks. For the northern regions, the threshold for the onset of rains is slightly lower, at 10mm over three days.
Between March 10 and March 16, the long rains officially began in the highlands west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, parts of the Rift Valley, Nairobi, sections of the highlands east of the Rift Valley, the southeastern lowlands, and parts of Isiolo County.
Rainfall activity increased notably compared to the previous week, particularly in the southeastern lowlands and parts of northeastern Kenya. The remaining areas in the highlands east of the Rift Valley and the southeastern lowlands are anticipated to experience their first rains this week.
Additionally, the onset of rains in northeastern Kenya is expected between March 25 and March 31, though some dry spells may follow. The northwestern and coastal regions are likely to receive occasional showers in the latter part of March, but they may not meet the criteria for the official onset of the rainy season.
Meanwhile, the peak of the rainy season in the coastal region is projected to occur in May, while northwestern Kenya is expected to see more consistent rainfall beginning in April.
