Kenya is gearing up for an unusually cold September, with intermittent rains and fluctuating temperatures expected to persist across various regions. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department’s five-day forecast, Nairobi and other highland areas will experience a mix of cold, cloudy, and rainy conditions, though temperatures will remain notably cool throughout the month.
Starting from Friday, September 6, and continuing through to Wednesday, September 11, residents of Nairobi, Kiambu, and other highland areas in both the East and West of the Rift Valley should brace for unpredictable weather patterns.
These areas, which include counties such as Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka, will face scattered showers on Saturday, with intermittent rain expected throughout the weekend.
David Gikungu, Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, warned of the ongoing cool and cloudy conditions. “Intermittent cool and cloudy conditions are expected over some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands, and the Rift Valley,” Gikungu said. “Rainfall is expected to continue over some parts of the Highlands, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Coast.”
The weather forecast reveals that mornings will be predominantly cloudy with occasional sunny breaks, while afternoons are expected to feature sunny intervals. Nights will see a mix of partly cloudy conditions. Temperatures in these regions will vary between 5°C and 27°C.
The South-eastern lowlands, including Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta, are predicted to experience a combination of sunny and cloudy weather. Temperatures here will range from a low of 10°C to a high of 31°C over the coming week.
Western Kenya, encompassing counties like Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, and Nyamira, will not escape the wet weather either. Rainfall is anticipated throughout the weekend, with showers and thunderstorms likely to occur in the afternoons and cloudy nights expected. From Monday to Wednesday, rain and thunderstorms are predicted in the mornings, with occasional showers in the afternoons and clearer evenings.
Along the Coast, including Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale, residents should prepare for a similarly damp week. The forecast suggests showers on Saturday morning and night, with sunny intervals during the afternoon. From Sunday to Wednesday, mornings are expected to see showers over a few places, with cloudy conditions persisting at night. Temperatures along the Coast will fluctuate between 21°C and 31°C.
Gikungu attributed the chilly September weather to heavy rains in Ethiopia and the broader impacts of climate change. “The month of September has usually been reliable for outdoor events, but this year is different,” he noted. “Heavy rains in Ethiopia are influencing the weather patterns here, with the sun’s position affecting cloud formation and rainfall in western Kenya.”
Gikungu further explained that the sun’s journey towards the Equator and the subsequent cloud cover are contributing to the reduced heat. “As the sun moves south, it brings along a bunch of clouds, resulting in cooler temperatures and persistent rainfall,” he said. “Climate change is playing a significant role in these altered weather patterns, deviating from what we traditionally consider normal.”
