The Kenya Meteorological Department has answered concerns by Kenyans about the phenomenon that makes July a generally colder month than other months.
In a statement on Monday, July 28, the weatherman outlined four terrestrial and atmospheric factors that cause July to be colder.
"The real drivers of our cold and cloudy July conditions are terrestrial and atmospheric factors," part of the statement read.
Firstly, Kenya Met highlighted the stratified cloud cover that dominates skies over the central highlands, Nairobi, parts of the Rift Valley, and southeastern Kenya.
These clouds limit the sunshine and surface heating, subsequently making it colder than when the cloud cover is less dense.
High-pressure systems were also mentioned as one of the causes of the cold Julys, as they influence atmospheric stability, supporting the formation of cloud “blankets” that trap cold air and suppress warming.
The third cause is the altitude, which in areas like Nairobi and much of the central highlands is over 1,500 meters above sea level, making them naturally cooler.
Lastly, Kenya Met revealed that the Southern Hemisphere winter affected the temperatures in July, as the cool, dry continental air masses from the south affect Kenya during this season, enhancing the chill.
Kenya Met was responding to a concerned Kenyan who enquired why the Kenyan cold season was defined by cloudy days, as opposed to northern winters that still had sunny days.
"For those of us who have witnessed sunny winters in the north, where it’s colder than our winter, why is our July winter defined by cloudy and ugly grey days even with no rain?" she quipped.
In its latest weekly weather advisory published on Friday, July 25, Kenya Met warned of cold weather in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Southeastern Lowlands, and the Rift Valley.
These regions were expected to experience very low temperatures of between 10°C and 12°C.
Most affected counties were the Highlands East ones, including Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Nairobi.
In the Rift Valley and the West of the Rift Valley regions, the counties expected to be affected include Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, and Kericho.
Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta, as well as the inland parts of Tana River County, were also projected to have similar weather conditions.
