Posted on March, 20, 2019 at 09:23 am
The Kenya Meteorological Department has confirmed that sunny and dry weather conditions are likely to persist over the better part of the country and more so the Eastern sector and Northwestern Kenya.
According to the March-April-May (MAM) 2019 forecast report, seasonal rainfall onset was expected in March over most parts of the country.
However, the existence of tropical cyclones and the unfavourable patterns both in the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans are likely to result in poor distribution even over the western sector of the country.
Speaking during a media briefing on the MAM 2019 seasonal update Monday, Ag. Director of Meteorological Services Stella Aura said that onset of the seasonal rainfall that was expected between the third and fourth week of March 2019 over several counties in South Eastern, Coast, Central Kenya and Central Rift Valley is therefore likely to delay.
“This seasonal rainfall will have impact on agricultural sector and food security. In Northwestern Kenya and other ASALs where poor rainfall performance is expected, problems related to water scarcity and lack of pasture for livestock is expected to increase,” she said.
The Ag. Director called for contingency plans and strategies to be put in place to avert such incidences. She advised the National Disaster Operations Centre to be on standby in order to ensure mitigation of any negative impacts that may arise.”
Aura said cases of flooding in Budalang’i and Kano, are probable since the expected prolonged dry spells are likely to result into reduced water levels in the Seven Forks, Turkwel and Sondu-Miriu catchment areas.
The long rains, March-April-May (MAM) season constitutes an important rainfall season in Kenya and more so in the Western, Rift Valley and Central regions as it highly impacts on the agricultural sector and hence food security in the country.
Despite the current situation, the Ag Director said that come next month, near-normal to above-normal rainfall is expected in western Kenya, Central Rift Valley, Northern Kenya in Marsabit, Moyale and the central highlands including Nairobi.
In May 2019, most parts of the country are likely to experience depressed rainfall except the Western, Central Rift Valley and Central Kenya regions which are likely to experience slightly enhanced rainfall, she reiterated.
Climate Outlook for the March-April-May (MAM) 2019 “Long Rains” indicated that most parts of the country were likely to experience slightly above average rainfall except the Eastern Kenya and the Coastal regions.
According to the review during the first half of March 2019, generally sunny and dry weather conditions prevailed over most of the country, with the first two weeks of the month showing high daytime and nighttime temperatures recorded.
During the first two weeks of March, Mandera station recorded the highest daily maximum daytime temperature of 41.00C while Lodwar station recorded 40.50C.