KENYA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT
DEKADAL AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN
WEATHER AND CROP REVIEW FOR DEKAD 14, 11TH –20TH MAY, 2017
HIGHLIGHTS ON RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE
Rainfall activities decreased drastically both in intensity and spatial distribution. Malindi
station in Coastal region recorded the highest rainfall amount of 148.3mm compared to
394.2mm reported at Mombasa station in the same area in the last dekad. Kisii station in
Nyanza region recorded 91.0mm of rainfall. In Western region, Kakamega station recorded
the highest amount of rainfall of 84.4mm. In Rift Valley region, Kitale station recorded the
highest amount of 72.0mm. Embu station in Eastern region received the highest rainfall
amount of 69.6mm. Kabete station in Nairobi region recorded the highest amount of rainfall
of 59.0mm. In Central region, Kangema station recorded the highest rainfall amount of
49.5mm; while North Eastern region reported the highest rainfall amount of 1.4mm at
Marsabit station.
Maximum temperatures increased during the dekad while minimum temperatures were still
on decreasing trend. Mandera station in the North Eastern region recorded the highest
maximum temperatures of 36.8°C compared to 35.8°C reported at Lodwar station in the
previous dekad. Nyahururu station in Central region continued to record the lowest
minimum temperatures of 8.6°C compared to 10.4°C reported at the same station in the
previous dekad.
For a more comprehensive summary of rainfall and other meteorological parameters, see
Figures 3.1 to 3.4 as shown below.
CROP AND WEATHER REVIEW FOR DEKAD 14, 11th – 20th MAY, 2017
2.1
NYANZA AND WESTERN REGIONS
2.1.1 Kakamega
Total rainfall amount recorded was 84.4mm. The mean air temperature and total pan
evaporation reported was 21.9ᵒC and 35.0mm respectively. The mean sunshine
duration was 6.8 hours.
Maize and beans are at flowering and harvesting stages respectively. Maize is in good
condition while the harvest of beans is ongoing but poor yield is expected.
2.1.2 Kisii
The station recorded total rainfall amount of 91.0mm. The mean air temperature and
total Pan Evaporation reported were 20.8ᵒC and 36.5mm respectively. The average
sunshine duration recorded was 6.3 hours.
Maize and beans are at flowering and maturity stages respectively. Both are in good
condition.
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2 .2
RIFT VALLEY REGION
2.2.1 Kitale.
The station recorded total rainfall amount of 72.0mm. The mean air temperature and
total Pan Evaporation reported were 20.4ᵒC and 34.5mm respectively. Sunshine
duration recorded was 7.5 hours on average.
Maize are at emergence stage and in good state while beans are at flowering and in
good condition due to sufficient rainfall during the dekad.
2.2.2 Eldoret - Kapsoya
The station reported total rainfall amount of 27.3mm. The mean air temperature and
total Pan Evaporation were 18.3ᵒC and 47.0mm respectively.
Some farmers have planted their crops.
2.3 CENTRAL KENYA HIGHLANDS AND NAIROBI AREA REGION
2.3.1 Nyeri
Total amount of rainfall recorded was 16.8mm. The mean air temperature reported
was 19.30C. There was no report on total Pan Evaporation.
Maize and beans are at emergence and in fair state.
2.3.2 Kabete
The station received 59.0mm of rainfall. The mean air temperature and total Pan
Evaporation was 15.2°C and 31.5mm respectively. Mean sunshine duration recorded
per day was 6.0 hours.
Maize and beans were at emergence stage and in fair condition.
2.3.3 Nyahururu
The station recorded 12.5mm of rainfall. The mean air temperature recorded was
15.80C. The mean sunshine duration recorded was 6.7 hours per day. There was no
report on total Pan Evaporation.
Maize, beans and potatoes are at emergence stage and in poor condition due to
insufficient rain.
2.3.4 Dagoretti
The station reported total rainfall amount of 11.1mm. The mean air temperature and
total pan evaporation were 12.3°C and 28.2mm respectively. Mean sunshine duration
recorded was 5.6 hours.
No Phenological report.
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EASTERN KENYA REGION
2.4.1 Embu
The station recorded 69.6mm of rainfall. The mean air temperature and total Pan
Evaporation reported was 16.3°C and 36.8mm respectively. Daily sunshine duration
recorded on average was 6.5 hours.
Maize and beans were at emergence and flowering stages respectively. Both are in fair
state. Crops are doing well because of the ongoing rains.
2.4.2 Meru
The station received 10.3mm of rainfall. Mean Air Temperature and total Pan
Evaporation reported were 19.30C and 32.3mm respectively. Sunshine
duration
recorded on average was 6.9 hours per day.
Maize and beans were at emergence and flowering stages respectively. Both crops were
in fair state. Weeding is complete.
2.4.3 Katumani (Machakos)
The station recorded 1.9mm of rainfall. The mean air temperature and total Pan
Evaporation recorded were 19.20C and 33.9mm respectively. The mean sunshine
duration recorded was 7.4 hours.
Maize and beans were both at flowering stage and in good state; hence normal yield is
expected.
2.5 COASTAL REGION
2.5.1 Msabaha
Total amount of rainfall received was 133.1mm. Total Pan Evaporation reported was
26.6mm. Sunshine duration recorded on average was 4.7 hours. There was no report
on mean air Temperature.
Maize was at emergence stage and in fair state due to good rains received throughout
the dekad.
2.5.2 Mtwapa
The station recorded total rainfall amount of 123.5mm. The Mean air temperature and
total pan evaporation recorded were 26.70C and 23.4mm respectively.
Maize was at emergence and in good state. Mangoes were at flowering stage and in
fair condition.
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ANALYSIS OF RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
Figure 3.1: Dekadal rainfall totals for dekad 14, 2017
Figure 3.2: Dekadal rainfall distribution for dekad 14, 2017
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Figure3.3: Maximum, Minimum and Average temperature for dekad 14, 2017
Figure 3.4: Mean temperature distribution for dekad 14, 2017
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EXPECTED WEATHER AND CROP CONDITIONS DURING THE NEXT 10
DAYS; 21ST to 31ST MAY 2017.
Counties within the Lake Victoria Basin, Highlands west of the Rift Valley, (Nyamira,
Kericho, Bomet, Uasin-Gishu, Nakuru, Narok, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi,
Laikipia, Kajiado, Vihiga and Busia), Mornings are expected to experience sunny intervals
giving way to rains over few places from the sixth day to the end of the forecast period. The
afternoons will experience showers over few places for the first 6 days of the forecast period
increasing to several places thereafter.
The showers will continue to benefit the crops like maize and Beans that are in emergence,
flowering and maturity stages in places like Kitale, Kisii and Kakamega.
The Northwestern counties (Turkana, West Pokot and Samburu), are expected to
experience sunny intervals in the mornings to the sixth day giving way to rains over few
places thereafter. The afternoons are expected to experience sunny intervals for the first six
days of the forecast period giving way to showers and thunderstorms thereafter.
The showers will continue replenishing the pasture for the animals kept in this region.
The Central highlands including Nairobi area (counties of Meru, Murang’a,
Kiambu,
Nyeri, Nairobi, Embu, Nyandarua, Tharaka and Kirinyaga), are expected to experience
cloudy mornings breaking into sunny intervals for the first six days of the forecast period
giving way to cloudiness and light rains thereafter. Afternoons are expected to experience
showers over few places from the sixth day to the end of the forecast period.
The rains and showers will continue benefiting the crops that are in emergence and flowering
stages in places like Meru, Nyeri, Embu and Thika.
Northeastern counties (counties of Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo), are
expected to experience sunny intervals the entire day throughout the forecast period.
The sunny intervals will have a negative effect on the vegetation and pasture in these regions.
Southeastern lowlands (counties of Taita Taveta, Makueni, Machakos and Kitui) are
expected to experience mainly sunny intervals the entire day for the first eight days of the
forecast period giving way to morning rains thereafter. Afternoons are expected to
experience sunny intervals throughout the forecast period.
The rains will continue to replenish the vegetation and pasture for the animals kept in this
region.
In the Coastal strip, (counties of Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, etc) Mornings
and afternoons are expected to experience mainly showers over few places throughout the
forecast period except on the fourth day when we have sunny intervals the entire day.
The showers will be of great advantage to the Maize crop that is in emergence state and the
flowering mangoes in places like Msabaha and Mtwapa.
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For feedback or further guidance, Contact:
Director,
Kenya Meteorological Department,
Agro meteorological Advisory Services Division,
Dagoretti Corner, Ngong Road,
P.O. Box 30259, 00100 GPO, Nairobi
Tel: +254 (0)20 3867880-7/3876957/3873682;
Fax: +254 (0)20 3876955
E-mail: [email protected];
Website: www.meteo.go.ke
©2017 Kenya Meteorological Department
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