Weatherman asks Kenyans to brace for a hotter January

A captivating halo ring encircled the sun, visible from Ngata in Nakuru City on Christmas Day December 25, 2023.[Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The weatherman has cautioned Kenyans to brace for a scorching January, predicting that the month will be hot and dry in most parts of the country.

A seven day weather update report released on Tuesday by the Kenya Meteorological Department, shows most parts of the country will experience sunny and dry conditions.

However, the report by Director of Meteorological Services David Gikungu, indicates that some areas might experience light to moderate rainfall.

This includes highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, South Rift Valley, the Coastal region and the South-eastern lowlands.

The coastal, North-Eastern, North-Western and parts of highlands west of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin and South Eastern lowlands will experience average daytime (maximum) temperatures of more than 30C.

Lake Victoria Basin, the Central and South Rift Valley and parts of the highlands West of the Rift Valley will mainly have sunny intervals in the mornings, though a few areas over the South Rift Valley and Lake Victoria Basin may experience rains.

Occasional afternoon showers and thunderstorms are expected over few places. These areas will also experience partly cloudy nights though a few areas in Narok and Lake Victoria Basin may experience occasional showers.

The North Rift Valley and parts of the highlands West of the Rift Valley, which is Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo and West-Pokot Counties will experience sunny intervals during the day while nights are likely to be partly cloudy.

The highlands East of the Rift Valley, which also include Nairobi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka-Nithi counties are expected to receive sunny mornings.

Nights are expected to be partly cloudy though a few areas may have showers on Friday. North-eastern Kenya, which is Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo counties will have sunny intervals during the day while nights are likely to be partly cloudy.

Additionally, the weatherman says the South-eastern lowlands that is Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Taita-Taveta and Tana River counties will have sunny intervals during the day.

However, a few areas may have occasional light showers in the afternoons while the nights are expected to be partly cloudy.

The report also says coastal areas of Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale counties as well Tana River County will experience sunny intervals during the day.