- The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority issued a five-day forecast covering 44 of the country's 47 counties
- Thunderstorms are expected in 21 counties, concentrated in western Kenya, the Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria basin
- Temperatures will range widely, from a scorching 38°C in Turkana to a cold 8°C low in Nyandarua
The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) has forecast rainfall across 44 of Kenya's 47 counties between Friday, October 23, and Tuesday, October 27, with thunderstorms expected in 21 of those counties.
The five-day outlook, issued on October 21, indicates that only Isiolo, Turkana and Kajiado are expected to remain dry throughout the entire period.
Thunderstorm Alerts for Western Kenya and the Rift Valley
The 21 counties on thunderstorm alert include West Pokot, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira.
The storms are expected mainly in the afternoons across western Kenya, the Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria basin.
Nandi, Kericho and Kakamega face thunderstorms on all five days of the forecast period. Bungoma, Busia and Migori have storms anticipated on four of the five days.
Kericho, Kisii and Nyamira are expected to receive the heaviest conditions, with moderate showers accompanied by thunder and lightning on at least three days.
Kakamega and Bungoma are forecast to experience moderate thunderstorms on Tuesday.
Regional Breakdown of Expected Rainfall
Along the coast, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu will remain dry through Saturday before showers arrive from Sunday.
Mombasa and Kilifi are forecast to receive moderate showers on Monday, while Lamu is expected to get moderate showers on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
Tana River and Taita/Taveta are anticipated to receive light showers on Monday and Tuesday.
Northern and north-eastern Kenya will begin to see rainfall from Sunday.
Mandera is forecast to receive moderate rains on Sunday and Monday, Wajir will have light rains on Monday and moderate rains on Tuesday, while Garissa and Marsabit are expected to receive lighter falls mostly from Monday.
In central and eastern Kenya, rainfall is forecast mainly at night and in the afternoons from Sunday.
Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga and Murang'a should expect moderate overnight showers, and Nyeri and Kiambu are forecast for moderate showers on Monday night.
Meru, Kitui, Machakos and Makueni will receive lighter falls, with Nyandarua seeing light showers on Tuesday afternoon.
Nairobi is set for sunny conditions until Sunday night, when light showers are expected to begin. Rain is forecast to continue on Monday afternoon and night, and into Tuesday morning and afternoon.
On temperatures, Turkana will be the hottest county, peaking at 38°C on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Nyandarua will record the coldest conditions, with a minimum of 8°C on Friday and Monday.
Nairobi's daytime high is expected to drop from 31°C on Friday to 29°C by Monday, with overnight lows between 15°C and 17°C.
The KMSA advised that the five-day outlook should be read alongside its daily 24-hour forecast, and that county-specific information is available through the offices of county directors of meteorological services.
Source: TUKO.co.ke