Nairobi News

Brace yourselves for even colder weather as we approach the peak of the season, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned.

According to Aberdare Region director of meteorology Francis Nguatah, the temperatures are likely to go below 10 degrees Celsius in July, all the way to August.

The country has been having average temperatures ranging from 11 degrees to 15 degrees, with the lowest being at 9.9 degrees Celsius last month.

Nyahururu marked the lowest temperatures in Central region last week, at four degrees Celsius, closely followed by Nyandarua yesterday at six degrees Celsius.

This week, regions in the Lake Victoria Basin, highlands west of the Rift Valley, central and south Rift Valley will experience the lowest temperatures at six degrees to eight degrees Celsius.

Counties in these regions will experience “showers and thunderstorms” as the same is expected to continue over the western parts of the country.

Also, slightly warmer temperatures are expected over several parts of the country as the forecast period progresses.

Coastal regions are likely to receive more rainfall compared to counties in the central parts of the country, said the department.

According to the weatherman, the presence of frost will impede agriculture as plants are unlikely to obtain optimal growth as there is no sufficient warmth to boost germination.

“Plants are not doing well, the erratic weather conditions are too unpredictable for the plants to withhold,” said Mr Nguatah.

He said sometimes the weather is too cold, making the plant cells shrink and sometimes when the weather is too hot, the plants are also unable to cope.

Mr Nguatah asked residents to try as much as possible to keep warm to curb diseases such as arthritis and asthma.

“For those who use charcoal to keep warm, they should ensure their houses are well ventilated,” he said.
“Road users must be careful as the weather will promote poor visibility.”

Due to the cold weather, maize production in Nyeri is expected to decline.