WINTER TIME

The Kenya Meteorological Department has announced the commencement of the cold weather season.

In a statement, Deputy Director of Meteorological Services Peter Ambenje announced the beginning of the cold weather season beginning June to August.

Ambenje says most parts of the country recorded enhanced rainfall that was well distributed both in time and space in the almost ended long rains season.

The long rains caused flooding in many parts of the country, leading to displacement of hundreds who might now be in a position to return to their homes.

The Central Highlands and Nairobi areas are expected to experience cool and cloudy conditions with occasional drizzles or light rains.

A drop in temperatures to relatively low values is expected over most parts of the country within the season.

Fairly low temperatures are also expected to be experienced in Central Rift Valley, Narok, Naivasha, Nakuru, Nyahururu and Timboroa.

Other parts expected to experience the excruciatingly cool temperatures are the highlands west of the Rift Valley, Kericho and Eldoret.

Ambenje warned the public against using charcoal stoves (jikos) to warm themselves as this could result in Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

He further warned that cases of respiratory diseases like asthma, pneumonia and common colds (flu) are expected to be on the rise in areas including Nairobi, Central highlands, Central Rift Valley and parts of the highlands west of the Rift Valley that will experience low temperatures.

reduced visibility

Ambenje said thick fog and associated very poor visibility may render landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport impossible during the season while foggy and drizzly conditions on roads in Nairobi, Central Province and parts of Rift Valley could render the roads slippery and urged motorists to be careful when driving to minimize accidents.

Pollution mainly resulting from erosion is also likely to reduce visibility in the ASALs and affect small aircrafts flying in low levels, especially over Garissa and Marsabit areas where the low level jet steams have their core business, a situation that could compromise aviation safety.

"Pilots undertaking afternoon flights on the Nairobi-Kisumu route are advised to be wary of turbulent conditions around Kericho due to thick cumulonimbs cloud formations. Small aircrafts should avoid such areas of thick clouds," Ambenje said.

Ambenje noted that the period beginning June through to August is a very important season for plant growth and development in the North Rift parts of the country while the rest of the country is normally characterized by generally cool and dry conditions with some attendant impacts during the season.

The forecast for June to August 2010 indicates that the Western highlands, Lake Basin and Central Rift Valley are likely to receive enhanced rainfall during the season, while the Coastal strip will receive slightly depressed rainfall.

The Meteorological Department says the Agriculture and Food Security Sector realized good crop performance during the past season, noting that good pasture and adequate water availability is likely to be sustained for livestock in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) as a result of the good rainfall coverage during the long rains season resulting to reduced human-wildlife conflict over access to resources.

He said the water resources management and the energy sectors had rain water filling up the dams for power generation and for domestic use.

"The situation is not likely to deteriorate during the coming three months although June-September is generally a dry period over most of Central Highlands including Nairobi," he said.

He warned that the risk for forest fires in the Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASALs) was high due to the anticipated dry conditions combined with relatively strong winds during June-August period.