` KENYA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT DEKADAL AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN WEATHER AND CROP REVIEW FOR DEKAD 34, 1 ST 10 TH DECEMBER, 2017 HIGHLIGHTS ON RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE Rainfall activities decreased drastically both in intensity and spatial distribution. Coastal region reported the highest rainfall countrywide of 81.9mm and 65.1mm at Mtwapa and Msabaha stations respectively compared to 99.8mm that was recorded at Matungu station in Western region in the previous dekad. Matungu station in the Western region received 54.4mm of rainfall. Eastern region recorded the highest rainfall amount of 46.4mm at Makindu station. Kisumu station in Nyanza region reported the highest rainfall amount of 45.2mm. Rift Valley region received the highest rainfall amount of 40.3mm at Kericho station. Dagoretti Corner station in Nairobi region recorded the highest rainfall amount of 18.9mm. Central region received the highest rainfall amount of 17.5mm at Nyeri station; while the entire North Eastern region reported dry conditions. Maximum and Minimum temperatures increased and decreased respectively during the dekad. Lodwar station in North-Eastern region, recorded the highest Maximum temperature of 35.8 C. Nyahururu station in Central region recorded the lowest Minimum temperature of 9.2 C compared to 9.6 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 34, 1 ST 10 TH DECEMBER, 2017 2.1 NYANZA AND WESTERN REGIONS 2.1.1 Kakamega Total rainfall amount reported was 22.7mm. The Mean air temperature recorded was 22.4ᵒC. Sunshine duration was 8.9hrs/day. There was no report on total pan evaporation. Maize was in maturity stage and in fair state, hence normal yield is expected. 2.1.2 Kisii The station recorded total rainfall amount of 35.2mm. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 21.0ᵒC and 34.7mm respectively. There was no report on sunshine duration. Maize and Beans were at flowering and harvest stages respectively. Both crops were in good state, hence above normal and normal yield is expected respectively. 1
2.2 RIFT VALLEY REGION 2.2.1 Kitale. The station recorded total rainfall amount of 14.1mm. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 19.8ᵒC and 39.1mm respectively. Sunshine hours reported was 8.4hrs/day. No phenological report. 2.2.2 Eldoret - Kapsoya The station reported total rainfall amount of 4.4mm. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 17.0ᵒC and 54.4mm respectively. There was no report on Sunshine parameter. No phenological report. 2.3 CENTRAL KENYA HIGHLANDS AND NAIROBI AREA REGION 2.3.1 Nyeri The station reported 17.5mm of rainfall. The Mean air temperature recorded was 18.7 0 C. Sunshine duration was 8.4hrs/day. There was no report on total Pan Evaporation. Maize and Beans and are in emergence and flowering stages respectively and in fair state. 2.3.2 Kabete The station recorded 7.7mm of rainfall., Total Pan Evaporation and Sunshine duration were48.2mm and8.6hrs/day respectively. There was no report on mean air Temperature. Maize and beans are at emergence and in fair state. 2.3.3 Nyahururu The station received 3.2mm of rainfall. The mean air Temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 15.4 0 C and 40.2mm respectively. No report on Sunshine parameter. Maize was still at flowering stage and in good state, hence normal yield is expected. 2.3.4 Dagoretti The station reported 18.9mm of rainfall. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation reported were 18.9 C and 46.9mm respectively. Sunshine hours reported was 9.5hrs/day. No Phenological report. 2.3.5 Thika The station reported 3.8 mm of rainfall. Total pan evaporation recorded was 38.8mm. There was no report on Mean air temperature and Sunshine duration. 2
Maize and Beans are in flowering stage and in fair state though they are being affected by too much sun. Potatoes are at maturity stage and in fair state. Normal yield is expected for potatoes while below normal yield is expected for the maize and beans. 2.4 EASTERN REGION 2.4.1 Embu The station reported dry conditions. Total Pan Evaporation recorded was 47.5mm. Sunshine duration reported was 9.1hrs/day. There was no report on Mean Air Temperature. Maize and beans are at emergence and flowering stages respectively. Both crops are in fair state though they are being affected by insufficient rainfall; below normal yield is expected for the beans. 2.4.2 Meru The station received 24.7mm of rainfall. The mean air Temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 18.7 0 C and 38.2mm respectively. Sunshine duration reported was 7.0 hrs per day. Maize and beans are at emergence and flowering stages respectively. Both crops are in fair state though the maize is being affected by the army worms in some areas. Normal yield is expected for the beans. 2.4.3 Katumani (Machakos) The station recorded 11.1mm of rainfall. The mean air Temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 19.0 0 C and 53.6mm respectively. Sunshine hours recorded was 9.4hrs/day. Maize and beans are in emergence and in excellent state. 2.5 COASTAL REGION 2.5.1 Msabaha The station received 65.1mm of rainfall. Total Pan Evaporation recorded was 44.6mm. There was no report on mean air Temperature, and Sunshine parameters. Maize is at flowering stage and in poor state due to too much sun. 2.5.2 Mtwapa The station recorded rainfall amount of 81.9mm. The mean air Temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 27.6 C and 41.4mm respectively. Sunshine duration was 6.8hrs/day. Maize is at emergence stage and in fair state. Mangoes are in dormant stage. 2.5.3 Lamu The station reported 0.02mm of rainfall. The Mean air temperature recorded was 29.2 C. Sunshine duration was 10.2hrs/day. There was no report on total Pan Evaporation. Cashew nuts are in harvesting stage and fair state though below normal yield is expected. 3
ANALYSIS OF RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS Figure 3.1: Dekadal rainfall totals for dekad 34, 2017 Figure 3.2: Dekadal rainfall distribution for dekad 34, 2017 4
Figure3.3: Maximum, Minimum and Average temperature for dekad 34, 2017 Figure 3.4: Mean temperature distribution for dekad 34, 2017 5
EXPECTED WEATHER AND CROP CONDITIONS DURING THE NEXT 10 DAYS; 11 TH to 20 TH DECEMBER 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 mainly sunny intervals during the forecast period. Afternoons are expected to experience mainly showers and thunderstorms over few places during the forecast period. The showers will be beneficial to the maize in flowering and maturity stages in places like Kisii and Kakamega. The Northwestern counties (Turkana, West Pokot and Samburu), are expected to experience mainly sunny intervals the entire day throughout the forecast period. The sunny intervals will have a negative impact on 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 mainly sunny intervals throughout the forecast period except on the 8 th day when they will experience morning rains over few places. Afternoons are expected to experience showers over few places for much of the forecast period. The showers will continue to benefit the crops that are in emergence and flowering stages in places like Nyeri, Thika, Kabete, Embu, Meru and Nyahururu, 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 impact on the pasture for the animals kept in this region. Southeastern lowlands (counties of Taita Taveta, Makueni, Machakos and Kitui) mornings are expected to experience mainly sunny intervals for much of the forecast period except on the 8th day when there is expected to have rains over few places. Afternoons are expected to experience mainly showers over few places throughout the forecast period. The showers and rains will have a positive impact on the vegetation and pasture for the animals kept in this region. Coastal strips (counties of Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, etc) are expected to experience showers over few places in the mornings on the 4th 7 th and 8 th day of the forecast period. Afternoons are expected to experience sunny intervals throughout the forecast period. The showers will benefit the maize, which is at emergence in Msabaha and Mtwapa. 6
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: agromet@meteo.go.ke; Website: www.meteo.go.ke 2017 Kenya Meteorological Department 7