Kenya: Dry August Ahead As Kenya Met Forecasts Warmer Than Normal Temperatures

What the report says

Kenya’s meteorological agency is forecasting a largely dry August, with sunshine expected to dominate much of the country while cooler, cloudier conditions continue in the Central Highlands and parts of Nairobi. The outlook, reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica, says rainfall will remain limited in many areas even as temperatures stay above the long-term average.

Deputy Director and Senior Meteorologist Kennedy Thiong'o said the Central Highlands, including Nairobi and nearby counties such as Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Nyandarua, should still see occasional light showers and overcast skies. The forecast also points to wider regional contrasts, with hotter conditions expected in northern and north-eastern counties and colder nights likely in higher-altitude areas.

The Kenya Meteorological Department said most of western Kenya, the Lake Victoria basin and parts of the Coast may receive near-normal or below-normal rainfall, while some northern and north-eastern counties are expected to stay mostly dry. It also warned that isolated heavy downpours could still occur in a few locations, even within a generally dry month.

The forecast follows a July in which rainfall was uneven across the country, with some western and highland areas receiving near-normal to above-normal totals while several stations in the north and east recorded little or no rain. The agency said the dry spell could continue into September before the short-rains season begins more fully in October, and advised the public to follow regular weather bulletins for farming, travel and preparedness planning.