Laikipia Weather: Areas Likely To Receive Showers This Week

By Staff Reporter

Residents of Igwamiti, Marmanet, Githiga and Ndaragwa should expect isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms through Monday, August 3, as intermittent rain, low temperatures and strong southerly winds affect parts of Laikipia County.

The Laikipia County weekly forecast, issued on Monday, also lists Matanya, Nanyuki and Umande among the areas where showers may occur. Cloudy conditions, followed by sunny intervals, are expected in several parts of the county during the forecast period.

According to the county forecast, light rain may fall in the morning before isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms develop in parts of Laikipia West and a few areas of Laikipia East.

The national seven-day forecast matches the county outlook, listing Laikipia among the counties likely to experience intermittent morning cloudiness and light rain in a few places. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are also forecast in the county.

David Njiru, Laikipia County director of meteorological services, said strong winds would remain a feature of the week, particularly in northern and eastern areas.

“Strong Southerly winds with speeds more than 25Knots remains dominant over most places in Laikipia North and parts of Laikipia East,” Njiru said in the signed county bulletin.

Winds above 25 knots are equivalent to more than 46 kilometres per hour. The forecast does not say whether stronger gusts may occur.

The county is also expected to experience cold nights. Maximum daytime temperatures are forecast to range from 22°C to 28°C, while minimum nighttime temperatures could vary between 5°C and 15°C.

“Minimum Temperatures below 10.0°C are likely around Nyahururu, Marmanet and the regions adjacent to Mt Kenya,” Njiru said.

The national forecast puts Laikipia’s expected temperature range at a maximum of 29°C and a minimum of 10°C. Nyahururu is forecast to record a maximum of 24°C and a minimum of 7°C during the seven-day period.

Recent observations show the cold conditions had already reached parts of the county before the forecast period began. Nyahururu Meteorological Station recorded a minimum temperature of 5.2°C on July 22, the lowest daily minimum reported nationally between July 20 and 26. The station also recorded the country’s lowest seven-day average minimum temperature, at 7.5°C, according to the national bulletin.

Laikipia North is expected to have mainly sunny or cloudy-to-sunny mornings. Afternoon showers are forecast in a few places on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday, while Friday and Saturday are expected to have sunny intervals. Daytime temperatures in the region could rise to 28°C.

In Laikipia East, showers are forecast on most afternoons, with rain affecting several places on Friday. Showers and thunderstorms are expected in several areas on Monday. Maximum temperatures are forecast at between 24°C and 26°C, with minimum readings ranging from 11°C to 13°C.

Laikipia West is expected to remain colder, with maximum temperatures ranging from 22°C to 24°C. Minimum temperatures could fall to 8°C on Tuesday and Friday, and to 9°C on Sunday. Afternoon showers are forecast throughout the week, with thunderstorms possible on Tuesday and Monday.

The county forecast estimates cumulative rainfall of less than 70 millimetres during the week. Rain is most likely on Tuesday, Wednesday and Monday, with light intermittent showers expected on the remaining days.

Light to moderate rainfall was recorded during the previous week in Kinamba, Lariak, Sipili, Mutara Orchards, Ol Pejeta, Three Rivers, Mugie and Ol Jogi, among other locations. The county bulletin said rainfall totals increased in several places compared with the preceding week.