Wet conditions due to effects of tropical cyclones, says MET

The Kenya Meteorological Department says the current rains being experienced in some parts of the country are due to the effects of Cyclone Batsirai that made landfall in Madagascar on Saturday.

Assistant Director of Meteorological Services Dr. Richard Mwita in an interview said that, while Kenya is not directly affected by the Cyclones in the Indian Ocean due to her position at 0-Degrees Latitude, the cyclones suck moisture from the Congo Basin, pulling it to the country which then falls as rainfall in the country.

“Cyclones only affect areas up to 5-degrees North and 5-degrees South of the Equator, this is because winds are deflected northwards or southwards around the equator hence the cyclone is bound to move southwards away from Kenya,” he said.

Dr. Mwita explained that the Westerlies from the Congo basin are currently the dominant winds that are carrying heavy moisture, while cyclones in the Indian Ocean are creating areas of low pressure, “this, therefore, has attracted the Westerlies into the country and the region creating the heavy downpour that was witnessed on Saturday and in some parts on Sunday,” he added.

Noting that the dry spell is set to continue into mid-March, Dr. Mwita noted that a comprehensive seasonal forecast for the long rains season of March, April to May will be released next week that will explain the scenario in detail and also provide the forecast for the season.

The seven-day forecast released by the Kenya Meteorological Department indicates that generally dry conditions are expected over most parts of the country, with light to moderate rainfall expected over few areas in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Central and South Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands, the Highlands East of the Rift Valley and the Coast.

Daytime or maximum temperatures are likely to be generally high while nighttime or minimum temperatures are likely to be low over high-altitude areas.