Weatherman explains reasons behind heavy rains in August
The Kenya Meteorological Department has explained the reasons behind the heavy rains experienced in mid-August in various parts of the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the weatherman attributed the heavy downpour witnessed from August 17 to August 19, 2025, to two primary atmospheric phenomena, Madden-Jullian Oscillation and Atlantic Ocean Pressure Gradient.
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“Why did Kenya experience heavy rains from 17–19 August 2025? The rains were influenced by two major global weather drivers, “the weatherman explained.
The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), which was in Phases 2 & 3 over the Indian Ocean, enhanced convection and rainfall over East Africa and a pressure gradient caused by a cooler Atlantic Ocean pulled the rain-bearing system further east than usual, leading to wetter-than-expected conditions across parts of Kenya.
Shifting weather trend
Additionally, Kenya Met stated that it continues to monitor evolving weather patterns closely to provide timely updates and advisories.
“These conditions have since eased, but the Kenya Meteorological Department (@meteokenya) continues to monitor evolving patterns closely,” Kenya met stated.
Heavy rainfall
This comes after the weatherman issued a heavy rainfall advisory for 30 counties, warning residents to brace for intense downpours, strong winds, and possible flash floods from Sunday, August 17, to Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
In a statement posted on its X account on Saturday, August 16, 2025, the agency said rainfall over parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, and Highlands West of the Rift is expected to intensify to more than 20mm within 24 hours, before spreading to the Highlands East of the Rift Valley.
“The rainfall pounding parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley and Highlands West of the Rift Valley is expected to intensify to more than 20mm in 24 hours and spread to the Highlands East of the Rift Valley on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The heavy rainfall is likely to continue up to Tuesday, August 19, 2025,” the statement from the meteorological department read.
However, the department forecasts that this intensity will decrease starting Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
“It is projected to reduce in intensity from Wednesday, August 20, 2025. The strong southerly winds of more than 25knots (12.9 m/s) being experienced over the eastern sector are projected to continue,” the statement reads.
Affected counties
The affected counties include Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nairobi, and parts of Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka-Nithi.
