Heavy Rainfall and Thunderstorms Expected in the following Regions,Met Department issues Warning

Kenyans across the country are set to experience a dramatic split in weather conditions over the coming days, with everything from fierce thunderstorms to blistering heat on the cards. According to the latest weekly forecast from the Kenya Meteorological Department, the nation’s skies will tell vastly different stories depending on your location.

For residents in the western and parts of the Rift Valley regions, it’s time to keep the umbrellas handy. Counties including Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Kericho, Kakamega, and West Pokot are expected to be hit by rains and showers accompanied by thunderstorms for the better part of Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. Motorists in these areas and in Nairobi have been cautioned, with images already surfacing of vehicles navigating flooded highways during cold, rainy spells.

Interestingly, even typically sunny areas won’t completely escape the damp. Nairobi, along with counties in the Central highlands like Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kiambu, and Meru, will enjoy generally sunny conditions. However, they might still catch occasional showers on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, a reminder that the weather can be full of surprises. Temperatures in these regions are predicted to be moderate, with highs around 29°C and chilly lows dipping to 7°C.

Meanwhile, a large swath of the country is set to bake under clear, dry skies. The forecast promises uninterrupted sunshine for counties in the Eastern region like Kitui, Makueni, and Machakos, where maximum temperatures will climb to a warm 32°C. The coastal strip of Mombasa, Kilifi, and Lamu is looking at hot and humid conditions, with thermometers expected to reach a steamy 34°C.

The real heatwave, however, is reserved for the northern frontier. Residents of Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa should prepare for intensely sunny and dry weather, with maximum temperatures soaring to a scorching 38°C. Neighbouring Turkana and Samburu will see similar heat, though with the occasional respite of partly cloudy conditions.

Adding another element to the mix, the weatherman has also flagged strong winds exceeding 25 knots for some counties, including Mombasa, Marsabit, and Turkana. This combination of high temperatures and strong winds could elevate the risk of fire outbreaks in arid areas.

In short, Kenya’s weather this week is a tale of three extremes: wet and stormy in the west, pleasantly warm with sporadic showers in the centre, and relentlessly hot and dry in the north and east. It’s a vivid illustration of the country’s diverse climatic zones playing out in real-time.