Rainfall to gradually decrease across Kenya as June brings cooler weather – Met
The long rains are set to gradually taper off starting Thursday, May 15, 2025, according to a fresh update from the Kenya Meteorological Department, as the country begins its slow transition into the cooler, drier months.
In a detailed climate statement released on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Met department reported that moderate to heavy rainfall had drenched several parts of the country over recent days, particularly in Nairobi, the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and coastal regions.
The rain, however, is expected to decrease in both intensity and spread beginning Thursday, though intermittent showers will persist in a few areas.
“Rainfall currently being experienced is expected to gradually reduce… However, a few areas over the Lake Victoria Basin, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley, isolated areas over the Southeastern lowlands especially those neighboring Nairobi County, and the Coastal region are likely to continue receiving rainfall with some breaks for the remaining part of May,” the department said.
This transition marks the end of the March-to-May long rains season for much of the country, except for the coastal and western counties, where wet conditions typically persist into June.
June to remain wet in the West, dry in the east
Looking ahead, the forecast for June 2025 suggests continued rainfall in the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, and the coast, with showers possibly spilling over into central Kenya, particularly areas bordering the west.
The northeastern, northwestern, and southeastern lowlands, however, are expected to remain mostly dry.
“Cool and cloudy conditions with occasional light rains are expected over the Highlands East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi,” the department noted, adding that this transition signals the onset of the cold season, which typically stretches from June through August.
Residents in Nairobi and surrounding highlands can expect grey skies, chilly mornings, and sporadic drizzles — a pattern that mirrors typical June-July-August (JJA) weather in central Kenya.
Floods give way to cold
The rains, though welcome for replenishing water sources and supporting agriculture, have caused significant disruption over the past month, including flooding, displacement, and transport bottlenecks in urban and low-lying areas.
The easing of rainfall comes as a reprieve for many communities that have borne the brunt of relentless downpours.
Still, the Meteorological Department is cautioning that localised showers and weather-related hazards may persist, especially in regions with waterlogged soils or poor drainage.
The outlook presents both opportunities and challenges for farmers and national planners.
While the cooler months provide relief from excessive rainfall, they also bring a heightened risk of crop diseases, especially in regions where damp conditions linger.
The Meteorological Department says it will continue to issue regular updates and advisories to ensure communities and sectors – including agriculture, health, and infrastructure – remain informed and prepared.
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