Kenya is expected to receive moderate rainfall and high temperatures in some parts over the next seven days, while neighbouring countries receive more than usual rainfall.
According to the Igad Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC) weekly forecast covering March 12 to March 19, that is Wednesday this week to Wednesday next week, the country is set to light rainfall.
The rainfall is expected in western Kenya and will be below 50 mm. “Light rainfall (less than 50 mm) is expected over parts of southern and western Uganda, most parts of South Sudan, southern and western Kenya, a few places in northern Tanzania, and parts of central to south-western Ethiopia,” reads part of the forecast from IGAD.
Already, the Kenya Meteorological Department had warned of rainfall in most parts of the country, with the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall. In its seven-day forecast covering March 11 to March 17th, the Met warned that the Highlands East of the Rift Valley—including Nairobi, Murang'a, and Kiambu Counties—would receive morning rains that are expected over a few places at the beginning and toward the end of the forecast period, with sunny intervals anticipated on Thursday and Friday.
The Met additionally said afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are expected over a few places at the beginning and toward the end of the forecast period. Kenya Met, however, said that rainfall intensity is likely to reduce midway through the period but increase again towards the end.
According to the regional weatherman, Kenya is among the countries that will witness warmer temperatures, with some parts of the country receiving temperatures over 32 °C.
“High temperatures of above 32 °C are expected over parts of eastern South Sudan, western Ethiopia, and north-western Kenya,” IGAD said in a statement.
Their forecast shows that parts of Nairobi and Kiambu in central Kenya and parts of Nakuru, Busia, and Eldoret in the west are to experience mild temperature conditions that are less than 20℃ over the next seven days.
IGAD said some parts of eastern Kenya that include Makueni, Machakos, and Taita Taveta counties are at risk of “elevated heat stress.”.
The group has predicted drier-than-usual conditions expected over most parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, western Uganda, South Sudan, and north-western Tanzania in the March-April-May seasonal forecast.
It, however, added, “Wetter than usual conditions are expected over western and south-western Kenya, eastern Uganda, eastern South Sudan, western Ethiopia, and most parts of Tanzania.”
