Weatherman warns Kenyans to brace for high temperatures before onset of long rain.

Kiganjo residents in Thika on November 11, 2017 wade through a flooded street. PHOTO COURTESY.

The Kenya Meteorological Department is warning Kenyans to brace for high temperatures in the next few weeks before onset of long rain.

While responding to an interview last evening at the local broadcaster KBC, Senior Assistant Director KMD Francis Nguata however said that various parts of the country will sometimes experience sporadic rains due to clouds forming quickly because of temperature differences.

“Sometimes we can have sporadic rains. Clouds are forming quickly because of the temperature differences but these will not affect the onset of the long rains. However, expect the onset of long rains in the next three weeks,” he explained.

Nguata said that the country was currently experiencing some climate variability and reflectivity of sunrays was very high.

“The temperatures are soaring. Nairobi is hitting 30 °C. Global warming is a major contributor.”

Last week, the weatherman warned that the annual temperatures in the country were likely to rise further in the coming days with places like Nairobi already experiencing change in temperature patterns.

“The average annual temperatures in Nairobi are usually between 23°C and 24°C. The daytime temperatures in the city can rise to over 28°C, and this can be stressful for those not used to this very high temperatures,” KMD deputy director, Ayub Shaka said in a statement.

On Monday, the weatherman released their weekly 7-days report that showed a few parts of the country particularly in the Lake Victoria Basin, Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Central and South Rift Valley and the Central Highlands receiving some rainfall in the week between 25 February and March 3. This was a reduction in rainfall amounts over most parts compared to the week before it.

Their forecast for the next seven-day period indicates that rainfall is expected to continue over several parts of the country at the beginning of the forecast period. This is particularly in the Lake Victoria Basin, Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Central and South Rift Valley, the Central Highlands and the Southeast Lowlands.

Central Highlands (including Nairobi) of Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru and Tharaka are likely to experience morning showers over a few places at the beginning of the week with the rest of the mornings likely to be cloudy, giving way to sunny intervals.

Afternoons/evening showers are expected over a few areas between Tuesday (yesterday) and Saturday. The rest of the afternoons are likely to be sunny and evenings partly cloudy.