August will be cold in Nairobi and 11 counties, says weather forecaster

June-July-August season is predominantly cold for central highlands (including Nairobi), south–eastern bordering Nairobi and some highlands west of Rift Valley (including Kericho).

Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Meru, Murang’a, Nairobi, Nyeri, and Tharaka Nithi counties will be cool and dry in August. In addition, parts of Nyandarua, Machakos, Kajiado, and Laikipia counties will be cold during the month.

Kenya Meteorological Department expects the counties to be cold with temperatures which could be near normal for the month. The counties could sometimes be cool and cloudy with light morning rains and drizzle.

Daytime maximum temperatures in these counties could occasionally fall below 18C, the weather department said in its Rainfall Outlook for August 2022.

The department’s director, Dr David Gikungu, said temperatures at night may fall below 10C in Nyandarua county.

“This is mainly due to the incursion of cold winter air from the southern Hemisphere, which experiences winter during this time of year,” he said.

Dr Gikungu said the temperatures would likely be near normal temperatures for August.

READ: Who’s shocked July weather is cold?

What’s possible effect of weather in August 2022?

Dr Gikungu said sunny and dry weather in 13 counties would create shortage of food, water, and pasture. The counties are Garissa, Isiolo, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Turkana, Wajir, West Pokot, and parts of Kajiado.

“Close monitoring of the situation is therefore necessary to avert the stress on human life and loss of livestock,” the director said.

He said the drought affecting the dry and arid counties would worsen.

“Conflicts over the scarce resources, particularly water, pasture, and browse, are likely to continue,” Dr Gikungu said.

He sent a request to the government and humanitarian firms to help communities in the counties to prevent loss of lives, livelihoods, and livestock.

“Additionally, it is advised that local leaders encourage communal resource sharing and foster peace,” the director said.

Dr Gikungu said water for human and livestock use in the dry and arid counties would continue to decline. He told authorities to manage water use suitably to ensure it is enough for human and animal use.