Nyeri: Temperatures in Nyeri are expected to dip to lows of up to 14°C as the country ushers in the cold June-July chilly season. Among areas expected to experience the lowest temperatures include Kieni West, Tetu, Nyeri Central, Mukurwe-ini, Mathira West sub-counties, and Othaya. Temperatures in the aforementioned areas are expected to oscillate between 21°C and 13°C.
According to Kenya News Agency, a weekly weather forecast released by the office of the County Director of Meteorological Services for the period between May 26 to June 1 highlights the expected changes. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), several towns and cities in the country are also expected to experience a drastic drop in temperatures beginning next month. The weatherman has, however, not issued any adverse cold warning to those residing in such areas.
Among the areas to be affected by this drop in temperature include Nyahururu (8°C), Laikipia (12°C), Nairobi (13°C), Narok (14°C), Meru (14°C), and Nakuru (14°C). How
ever, along the coastal belt, temperatures are expected to soar, reaching highs of up to 32°C in some counties like Mombasa and Lamu.
The forecast reads, ‘Daytime (maximum) average temperatures of more than 30°C are expected in the Coast, some parts of the Southeastern Lowlands, Northeastern and Northwestern Kenya. Nighttime (minimum) average temperatures are expected to be less than 10°C in a few areas in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Central Rift Valley, and in the vicinity of Mt Kilimanjaro.’
In addition, the weatherman has predicted that several parts of the country will continue to record some rains, with heavy rains also expected in some parts of the country. Among counties listed to experience some showers include Nandi, Bungoma, Nyamira, Kisumu, Narok, Embu, Nyeri, Nairobi, Meru, Baringo, Trans-Nzoia, and Busia among others.
The forecast adds, ‘The Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley sunny intervals are expected in the mornings though occasio
nal rains may occur over a few places. Afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are likely to occur over a few places. While in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley mornings are likely to be cloudy, with occasional rains over places, giving way to sunny intervals. Occasional, afternoon and night showers are expected over a few places.’
Nyeri County Director of Meteorological Services, Mr. Peter Wambugu, had earlier informed KNA that the March-April-May long rains were expected to subside during the third week of May. Thereafter, the weather would transition into cold spells accompanied by slight drizzles that would extend to the end of July.
Wambugu mentioned that while they could not ascertain the precise impact of the long rains on overall food productivity, the Department had advised farmers about the intensity and amount of rainfall to be recorded across the country. ‘The prediction for the March-April-May was that at its peak it will be above normal in most places. However, this pattern was to c
hange towards the month of April with the intensity of the rains expected to systematically cease in the second and third week of May with many parts of the country including Nyeri experiencing cold seasons accompanied by morning drizzles until the month of July,’ he told KNA.