July marks the peak of the cold season, especially over the Highlands East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi County. In the monthly forecast the Kenya Meteorological Department, says the temperature forecast indicates that the Highlands East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi County and parts of the Southeastern lowlands are expected to experience low temperatures.
“Even though the temperatures are likely to be slightly higher than the July average,” says the statement by the Director of Meteorological Service Dr. David Gikungu and adds, “a few days may experience maximum temperatures below 18 degrees Celsius while minimum temperatures may drop to below 10 degrees Celsius.”
The weatherman notes that the northern sector of the country is likely to experience high temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius, “except over Marsabit and parts of Isiolo counties where temperatures are expected to be moderate” says Dr. Gikungu, and adds that, “These temperatures are expected to be warmer than the July Long Term Mean (LTM).”
The Weatherman is warning that, due to the expected cool and chilly conditions, cases of respiratory diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, flu, and the common cold are likely to increase in areas such as Nairobi, the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, parts of the Central and South Rift Valley, and parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley. To avoid contracting diseases, “the general public is advised to dress warmly and to follow the advice of the Health Authorities,” he says.
Dr. Gikungu is advising against the use charcoal jikos in poorly ventilated homes “because they emit carbon monoxide gas, which is life threatening if inhaled.”
The Met Department is further warning that, fog formation in the areas that are expected to experience cold and cloudy conditions may pose a danger to motorists due to low visibility. “Care should be taken while driving in these areas especially along the Nairobi-Naivasha Highway and particularly on the Kikuyu-Kinungi stretch,” says Dr. Gikungu and adds, “Light rains and drizzles may also result in slippery roads, hence all road-users are advised to take utmost care to minimize accidents that may result from such weather conditions.”
The Weatherman says fog may occasionally pose a challenge to operations at the Wilson and Jomo Kenyatta International Airports
During the month, near to above-average rainfall is expected over several parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Central and South Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, parts of the Northwest and parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (Nyandarua). The Coastal strip is also likely to experience near to above average rainfall.
The public is advised to take advantage of the rains in order to boost agricultural production, particularly in the high potential counties in the Lake Victoria Basin Region, Highlands West of the Rift Valley, as well as Central and parts of the Southern Rift Valley.
“There may be incidences of crop damage due to frost in parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley as the cold season reaches its peak during the month,” warns Dr. Gikungu.
Water availability is expected to decline in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands due to dry weather conditions, “Residents are advised to use the available water sparingly and embrace water conservation practices to ensure their water needs are met during the month.”
