Ref. No. Met/ 7/23 Date: 11th March 2010
1. WEATHER SUMMARY FOR 3-10 MARCH 2010
Intense rainfall characterized much of the country especially at the beginning of the last seven-day period (4-10 March 2010). There was however, a significant decline in rainfall in the second half of the review period over the whole country. As at 11th March 2010, accumulated weekly rainfall of 113.7mm at Makindu Meteorological station was the highest for the week. Other stations that recorded significant seven-day rainfall totals were: Kisii (64.5mm), Meru (60.5mm) Laikipia (50.2) Voi (50.1mm), Embu (45.7mm), Wajir (43.3mm), Machakos (42.6mm), Suba (41.2mm), Dagoretti (36.9) Kabarak (35.2mm), Moyale (33.5mm), Kitale (33.5), Kericho (33.4mm), Kisumu (34.6mm), Marsabit (32.2mm), Nyeri (26.2mm), Thika (22.0mm), Kakamega (21.1mm), Moi Air Base (20.6mm), and Wilson (20.1mm). In some areas, the heavy rainfall received was associated with loss of lives and destruction of property as well as displacement of thousands of people, majority of whom have been rendered vulnerable to hunger and disease.
2. THE 7-DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK
Widespread dry conditions are likely to dominate much of the country at the beginning of the forecast period. However the coastal strip, parts of: the southeastern lowlands, western Kenya, central highlands and northeastern areas of the country are likely to realize a pick up in rainfall activities towards the end of the period. This may render some of the areas especially in the southeastern lowlands and northeastern parts relatively wet. Soils are still wet owing to the heavy rains that have been received in the past weeks. Episodic heavy rainfall events from storms prevalent during the rainfall season are therefore likely to result to flash floods as a result of surface runoff.