Meteorological Department warns ongoing rains will damage harvests

The chilly weather being experienced across the country is causing problems with harvesting and drying maize, this is according to the latest report by the Kenya Meteorological Department.

Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department David Gikungu says the forecast will remain constant throughout this week with the rainfall being as much as or more than usual for Kenya, adding that the odd rains will give way to sunny weather later this month.

Gikungu also mentioned that September will have a combination of dry and rainy days.

"The near to above average rainfall expected over the highlands west of the Rift Valley, Lake Basin and the Rift Valley may lead to post-harvest losses in areas where harvesting is in progress," he said.

The weatherman said the specific counties expected to receive rainfall with some breaks during the month include those in the highlands west of the Rift Valley.

These areas include Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kakamega, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Bungoma, Kisii, and Nyamira counties.

Also affected are parts of the Lake Victoria basin (Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, and Busia counties), the central Rift Valley (Nakuru and Baringo counties, and the western part of Laikipia), the southern Rift Valley (Narok county), and parts of the highlands east of the Rift Valley (some areas of Nyandarua county).

"The expected total rainfall over these areas is likely to be near to above the long-term average for September," Gikungu added.

The Mt Kenya region, known as the highlands east of the Rift Valley, which includes Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi counties, Eastern Laikipia, and parts of Nyandarua and Nairobi, is expected to have mostly sunny and dry weather throughout the month.

"However, occasional afternoon and night showers may be experienced over a few areas. Occasional cool and cloudy conditions with light rains may be experienced in the morning over a few areas especially at the beginning of the month," the Director said.

The anticipated rainfall for September is expected to be close to the long-term average.

Along the Coast, dry weather is likely for the entire month, with some areas possibly seeing occasional light morning showers.

In contrast, Northwestern Kenya (Turkana and Samburu counties) will have predominantly sunny and dry conditions, although isolated areas may receive occasional rainfall.

The weatherman said the rest of the country (Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Kajiado, Taita Taveta and Tana River counties) will be sunny and dry throughout the month.

Gikungu also provided a forecast for the next three months, until the end of November.

He mentioned that in September, dry weather is expected for the Coast, northeast, southeast, and most of the highlands east of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi county.

These areas are likely to receive rainfall starting in the second half of October and continuing into November. Some coastal areas may also experience occasional light morning showers in September.

The Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, Central Rift Valley, and South Rift Valley are forecasted to have periods of rainfall with intermittent breaks during this period.

This rainfall is expected to exceed the long-term averages for September to November.

Temperatures are anticipated to be warmer than usual in many parts of the country, except for most areas in the highlands west of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, parts of the central Rift Valley, and parts of the northwest, where temperatures are expected to be normal to cooler than average during this forecast period.