REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND MINERAL RESOURCES
KENYA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT
Dagoretti Corner, Ngong Rd, P. O. Box 30259, 00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: 254 (0) 20 3867880-7 / 3876957/60 / 3873682
Mobile: 254(0)724255153/ 254(0)724255154
Fax: 254 (0) 20 3876955/3877373/3867888/3874501
e-mail: director@meteo.go.ke; Website: http://www.meteo.go.ke
Date 2nd February 2009
Ref. No. Met/ 1622
WEATHER REVIEW FOR THE LAST FOUR DAYS 29TH JANUARY TO 1ST FEBRUARY AND THE
EXPECTED CONDITIONS DURING THE NEXT FOUR DAYS VALID, 3RD TO 6TH FEBRUARY 2009.
1.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS



Generally sunny and dry weather conditions continued to dominate over most parts of the country
during the last four-day period (29th January to 1st February, 2009). However, a few areas in
western and Central highlands continued to record light to moderate rainfall amounts while a few
stations along the southern Coastal strip recorded light rainfall towards the end of the review
period.
Daytime temperatures continued to be quite high over most parts of the country and more so over
the Northwestern and Northeastern districts. Nighttime temperatures on the other hand fell
slightly especially in central Rift Valley.
The forecast for the next four days (3rd to 6th February 2009) indicates that sunny and dry weather
conditions will persist over the better part of the country. A few places in western Kenya will
however continue to experience light rainfall at the beginning of the forecast period.
2.
WEATHER SUMMARY
(a) Rainfall review:
Most parts of the country continued to be generally sunny and dry during the last four-day period (29th
January to 1st February 2009). Light to moderate rainfall was however recorded over a few areas in western
and central highlands. This was quite a reduction as compared to moderately heavy rainfall recorded
previously over the same areas. Elsewhere, few stations along the southern Coastal strip recorded light
rainfall towards the end of the review period. The amounts however barely exceeded 5mm.
Kakamega station recorded the highest daily rainfall amount of 35.3mm recorded on 30th January, as well as
the highest four-day rainfall total amounting to 36.2mm. Nyeri, Meru, Kericho, Kisii, Narok, Kabarak,
Mtwapa and Nakuru stations recorded 30.7, 20.8, 18.4, 12.2, 11.2, 9.5, 6.2 and 1.0mm respectively. The rest
of the stations recorded less than a millimeter as seen in figure 1.
40.0
36.2
30.7
30.0
25.0
20.8
18.4
20.0
12.2
15.0
11.2
9.5
10.0
5.0
6.2
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.5
0.0
0.0
MTWAPA
MOMBASA
MSABAHA
MALINDI
VOI
LAMU
MAKINDU
THIKA
MACHAKOS
JKIA
WILSON
M.A.B.
MERU
DAGORETTI
STATION
LAIKIPIA
EMBU
NYERI
NAROK
NAKURU
KABARAK
NYAHURURU
SUBA
KISII
KISUMU
KERICHO
ELDORET
ELDORET
KITALE
KAKAMEGA
MANDERA
WAJIR
MOYALE
GARISSA
LODWAR
0.0
MARSABIT
RAINFALL (MM)
35.0
FIGURE 1: FOUR-DAY RAINFALL TOTALS FROM 29TH JANUARY TO 1ST FEBRUARY 2009
1
33.6
24.2
32.9
31.9
24.1
21.5
19.4
13.4
10.9
10.7
11.2
8.6
23.2
34.0
31.7
25.5
25.2
26.3
25.9
28.1
12.4
17.8
23.9
MIN.
MOMBASA
MALINDI
LAMU
VOI
MAKINDU
MERU
EMBU
NYERI
NAROK
NAKURU
DAGORETTI
STATION
NYAHURURU
KISUMU
KISII
KERICHO
ELDORET
KAKAMEGA
KITALE
MANDERA
GARISSA
MARSABIT
LODWAR
0.0
WAJIR
0.0
5.0
25.3
15.5
8.8
10.0
10.4
14.8
10.1
15.0
24.1
24.5
27.9
27.5
22.7
15.5
20.0
24.3
25.0
26.0
30.0
21.9
TEMPERATURE IN oC
35.0
29.1
MAX.
13.7
36.7
37.6
36.2
40.0
37.6
(b) Temperature review:
High daytime temperatures continued to rise over most parts of the country due to mainly sunny conditions.
This was more observed in the northern districts where some stations recorded maximum temperatures
exceeding 38°C. Wajir station recorded the highest daily maximum temperature of 38.2°C (on 1st February).
The same station together with Lodwar both recorded the highest four-day average maximum temperature of
37.6°C.
Minimum (nighttime) temperatures on the other hand were moderate over various parts of the country. They
however fell slightly in some parts of central Rift Valley and western highlands. Nyahururu station recorded
the lowest daily minimum temperature of 6.1°C (on 31st January) as well as the lowest four-day average
minimum temperature of 8.6°C as see in figure 2.
FIG2:FOUR-DAY MAXIMUM & MINIMUM TEMPERATURES FROM 29TH JANUARY TO 1ST FEBRUARY 2009
3: EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS (FROM 3RD TO 6TH FEBRUARY 2009)
Moderate pressures are expected over the South Atlantic Ocean (St. Hellena) region at the beginning
weakening as the period progresses. The South African region and the Mozambique Channel will remain
under generally weak pressures for most of the forecast period. The South Western Indian Ocean
(Mascarene) will also be under weak pressures throughout the forecast period. The development of a lowpressure system to the north of the region will further weaken the pressures. The Arabian high-pressure ridge
will be moderately strong and mainly continental for most of the period. Winds in the upper levels are
expected to be slightly divergent at the beginning but will become convergent with time. This will reduce
the chances of forming any deep rain clouds over most parts of the country.
In view of these developments, generally sunny and dry weather is likely to persist over the country for most
of the forecast period.
4: FORECAST FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS FROM 3RD TO 6TH FEBRUARY 2009
Following the above developments, it is expected that:
The Lake Victoria basin, Highlands west of the Rift Valley and Central Rift Valley (Kitale,
Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Kericho, Eldoret, Nakuru, Narok, Nyahururu, etc) will experience mainly
sunny conditions. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are however likely to occur over few places at the
beginning of the forecast period.
The Northwestern districts (Lodwar, Lokitaung, Lokichoggio, etc) and Northeastern districts
(Marsabit, Moyale, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa etc) will experience generally sunny and dry weather
conditions throughout the forecast period.
2
The Southeastern lowlands (Voi, Makindu, Machakos etc) will experience generally sunny conditions
for most of the forecast period. A few areas are however likely to experience light morning rains towards the
end of the forecast period.
The Central highlands including Nairobi area (Nyeri, Meru, Dagoretti, Embu, etc) are expected to
experience generally sunny conditions for most of the forecast period. Afternoon/night showers are however
likely to occur over very few places at the beginning of the forecast period..
The Coastal region (Mombasa, Kilifi, Malindi, Lamu etc) will experience generally sunny conditions for
most of the forecast period. Light morning showers are however likely to occur over few places at the
beginning of the forecast period.
N.B: This forecast should be used in conjunction with the daily 24-hour forecast issued by this
Department
KEY OF SCIENTIFIC WORDS USED
High Pressure System (Anticyclone): An area associated with clear skies or fine weather.
Ridge: An elongated area of high pressure from which winds flow outward.
Most Places: Between 66% and 100%.
Several Places: Between 33% and 66%
Few Places: Between 0 and 33%
J.K. MUHINDI
FOR: DIRECTOR OF METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES
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