On Sunday July 7, 2024 the Kenya Meteorological Department warned that Kenyans should prepare for increased rainfall in July, which could potentially escalate into hailstorms in August.
The department clarified that the rainfall expected in July is typical for this time of year, resulting from the meeting of cold air from the East and warm air from the West.
“It is not unusual to experience rains in July in Kenya. This occurs when cold air from Central and Eastern regions, including Nairobi, interacts with warm moist air from the West.
“The warm air rises over the cold air, leading to heavy adventive rains,” Kenya Met explained.
As the interaction between warm and cold air intensifies, it can lead to hailstorms as we move into August and September.
“This can be mistaken for snow, but it’s actually a result of the same process that forms a warm front,” explained the Kenya Meteorological Department.
“When active weather systems from the West drive warm, moist air into these cooler regions, these weather patterns are anticipated,” stated the Kenya Meteorological Department.
Their mapping predicts that Western region counties and Coastal areas will receive up to 180mm of rainfall.
Meanwhile, regions in the lower Eastern and Northern parts of the country are expected to see moderate to lower levels of rainfall.
Additionally, a forecast released on Sunday by the department indicated that eight regions, including Nairobi, will experience heavy rainfall between 9 AM on July 7 and 9 AM on July 8.
Among the areas listed include Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nandi, Laikipia, Trans Nzoia, Narok, and Uasin Gishu, with rainfall exceeding 25mm. In contrast, Nairobi is expected to see rainfall below 20mm.
Other regions such as Machakos, Meru, Migori, Homa Bay, Nyamira, Bungoma, and Busia are also expected to experience similar levels of rainfall.
The forecast predicts intermittent cool and cloudy weather in areas of the Highlands both East and West of the Rift Valley, as well as in the Southeastern lowlands and the Rift Valley.
Additionally, rainfall is expected in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and northwestern Kenya.
