National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a United States weather department, has warned of continued dry conditions within the East African region, including Kenya.
In its advisory published on Thursday, November 20, NOAA said that below-average rainfall over the past two months had resulted in abnormal dryness in the country, warning that such a condition is expected to continue.
The organisation revealed that the continuous lack of rain had also resulted in significant dryness not only in Kenya but the broader Eastern African region, including Ethiopia and Somalia.
"Over the past week, little to light rainfall was observed across many parts of East Africa, including western Ethiopia, Uganda, the Lake Victoria region, and several areas in central Kenya," NAA noted.
"Next week, little rainfall is expected in western Ethiopia, eastern Kenya, and southern Uganda. Light to moderate rainfall is expected in Rwanda, Burundi, and much of Tanzania," it added.
While November is mostly known for short rains, the sudden change in the weather pattern could trigger food shortages and other dry-weather-related calamities.
NOAA, however, predicted heavy rains in the Southern part of the continent, with countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia expected to experience above-average downpour.
This comes even as the Kenya Meteorological Department predicted continued sunny and dry conditions in most parts of the country, including Nairobi and Mombasa.
Kenya Met in its weather forecast published on November 17, announced that sunny conditions would be experinced in the Rift Valley, Central Kenya, the Coastal region and parts of the Lake Victoria basin.
The aforementioned regions cover more than 32 counties with possible light rains in the Southeastern lowlands and select parts of the Lake Victoria basin.
Counties predicted to receive light rains included Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Nakuru.
In its advisory, the weather department also warned of continued cold nights in the Highland East region of the country, which encompasses Nairobi, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nithi and Nyeri.
