Weatherman warns of showers and isolated heavy rainfall in Nairobi
The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a warning for showers and isolated heavy rainfall in parts of Nairobi County and its metropolitan area.
In a weather advisory issued on Monday, May 5, 2025, this follows similar conditions experienced on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
“Nairobi City County – Rainfall Forecast Sunday, 4th May 2025: Showers expected. Isolated heavy rainfall is possible in parts of the county. Stay weather-aware!” the weatherman announced.
MAM season
In the weekly forecast, the weather department noted that the ongoing March-April-May (MAM) long rains season is currently at its peak, and Nairobi is among the regions anticipated to receive significant rainfall throughout May.
The department has forecasted that the intensity of the rains will be particularly notable during the first week of the month.
The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) declared the start of the rainy season on March 18, 2025, after specific criteria were met in several parts of the country.
These criteria, the weatherman said, included a sustained wet spell, where at least 20 mm of rainfall accumulated over three consecutive days, and no dry spell of seven or more days occurred within the following 21 days.
Forecasts indicated that regions such as the Lake Victoria Basin, the South Rift Valley, much of the Highlands west of the Rift Valley, the southern sections of the Southeastern lowlands, and the far northern areas of northwestern Kenya would receive rainfall ranging from near to above average.
In contrast, areas like the Central Rift Valley, Highlands east of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi), much of northwestern Kenya, the Coast, the Southeastern lowlands, and parts of the western highlands were expected to experience near to below-average rainfall. Northeastern Kenya and the northern coastal strip were projected to receive below-average precipitation.
Rainfall distribution throughout the season was expected to be uneven, both in terms of timing and geographical spread. The season’s onset was predicted to occur on time or slightly later than usual, accompanied by occasional dry periods. Some areas were also likely to witness isolated storms.
Temperatures were forecast to be warmer than usual countrywide, with the likelihood of higher temperatures, especially over coastal and northern regions.
