` KENYA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT DEKADAL AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN WEATHER AND CROP REVIEW FOR DEKAD 30, 21 ST 31 ST OCTOBER, 2017 HIGHLIGHTS ON RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE Rainfall activities increased in spatial distribution, but maintained in intensity countrywide. The highest rainfall countrywide was received in Eastern region, with Kitui and Embu stations reporting 193.3 and 133.1mm respectively; compared to 192.2mm and 147.3 mm reported at Eldoret Airport and Eldoret Kapsoya stations in Rift Valley region in the previous decade. Ngong station in Nairobi region recorded the second highest rainfall amount of 93.4mm. Nyanza region received the highest rainfall amount of 78.4mm at Kisii station. Kangema station in Central region reported the highest rainfall amount of 75.2mm. Coastal region recorded the highest rainfall amount of 72.3mm at Mtwapa station. Kabarak station in Rift- Valley region received the highest rainfall amount of 64.7mm. North-Eastern region recorded the highest rainfall amount of 39.1mm at Wajir station; while Matungu station in Western region reported the highest rainfall amount of 30.1mm. Maximum temperatures remained on a decreasing trend, while Minimum temperatures decreased drastically. Garissa station in North-Eastern region, recorded the highest Maximum temperature of 35.1 C; while Nyahururu station in Central region continued to record the lowest Minimum temperature of 9.2 C compared to 10.3 C 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 30, 21 ST 31 ST OCTOBER, 2017 2.1 NYANZA AND WESTERN REGIONS 2.1.1 Kakamega Total rainfall amount reported was 13.6mm. The Mean air temperature recorded was 22.2ᵒC; Total Pan Evaporation and Sunshine duration were 51.9mm and 7.7 hrs/day. Beans were in maturity stage and in good state hence normal yield is expected. Maize was in flowering stage and in poor state. Fall army worms still affecting maize in farms. 2.1.2 Kisii The station recorded total rainfall amount of 78.4. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 20.8ᵒC and 40.9mm respectively. There was no report on sunshine duration. Maize was at emergence and Beans were at maturity stages respectively; both crops were in good state. Normal yield expected for beans. 1
2.2 RIFT VALLEY REGION 2.2.1 Kitale. The station recorded total rainfall amount of 63.4mm. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 19.4ᵒC and 45.4mm respectively. Sunshine hrs reported was 7.3hrs/day. Harvesting of maize is over. 2.2.2 Eldoret - Kapsoya The station reported total rainfall amount of 56.3mm. The Mean air temperature and Total Pan Evaporation recorded were 17.5ᵒC and 53.3mm respectively. There was no report on Sunshine parameter. Harvesting of maize is still underway. 2.3 CENTRAL KENYA HIGHLANDS AND NAIROBI AREA REGION 2.3.1 Nyeri The station reported 23.3 of rainfall. The Mean air temperature and sunshine duration recorded were 19.2 0 C and 7.1 hrs/day. There was no report on total Pan Evaporation. Maize harvesting is over and some farmers have planted Maize and Beans and are in emergence stage. 2.3.2 Kabete The station recorded 36.7mm. Total Pan Evaporation and Sunshine duration recorded were 41.7mm and 6.5hrs/day respectively. There was no report on Mean air temperature. Maize and beans are at emergence and in good state. Some farmers are still planting. 2.3.3 Nyahururu The station received 30.4 mm of rainfall. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 15.3 0 C and 45.9mm respectively. No report on Sunshine parameter. Maize was still at flowering stage and in good condition, hence normal yield is expected. 2.3.4 Dagoretti The station reported 60.8mm of rainfall. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation reported were 19.2 C and 50.3mm respectively. Sunshine hours reported was 7.2hrs/day. No Phenological report. 2.3.5 Thika The station reported 43.6 mm of rainfall. Total pan evaporation recorded was 38.6mm. There was no report on Mean air temperature and Sunshine duration. Maize, Beans and Potatoes are still at emergence state and in fair state. 2
2.4 EASTERN REGION 2.4.1 Embu The station received 133.1mm of rainfall. Total Pan Evaporation and Sunshine duration reported were 42.2mm and 7.1hrs/day respectively. There was no report on Mean air temperature. Maize and beans are at emergence and in fair state. 2.4.2 Meru The station received 80.7mm of rainfall. Mean Air Temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 19.6 0 C and 52.2mm respectively. Sunshine duration reported was 7.2 hours per day. Maize and beans are at emergence and in fair state. Some farmers have started weeding. 2.4.3 Katumani (Machakos) The station recorded 18.5mm of rainfall. The Mean air temperature and total Pan Evaporation recorded were 20.2 0 C and 64.5mm respectively. There was no report on Sunshine duration. Planting of Maize and beans are underway in most farms. 2.5 COASTAL REGION 2.5.1 Msabaha The station received 62.2mm of rainfall. Total Pan Evaporation recorded was 46.7mm. There was no report on Mean air temperature and sunshine parameters. Planting is underway in most farms. 2.5.2 Mtwapa The station recorded total rainfall amount of 72.3mm. The Mean air temperature and total pan evaporation recorded were 26.9 C and 67.2mm respectively. Sunshine duration was 6.9hrs/day. Maize planting is underway in most farms. Mangoes are in dormant stage. 2.5.3 Lamu The station reported 6.9mm. The Mean air temperature recorded was 28.9 C. Sunshine duration was 8.8hrs/day. There was no report on total Pan Evaporation. Cashew nuts are in flowering stage and in fair state. Land preparation still underway in most farms. 3
ANALYSIS OF RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS Figure 3.1: Dekadal rainfall totals for dekad 30, 2017 Figure 3.2: Dekadal rainfall distribution for dekad 30, 2017 4
Figure3.3: Maximum, Minimum and Average temperature for dekad 30, 2017 Figure 3.4: Mean temperature distribution for dekad 30, 2017 5
EXPECTED WEATHER AND CROP CONDITIONS DURING THE NEXT 10 DAYS; 1 ST to 10 TH NOVEMBER 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 on the first two days; followed by rains over few places for the rest of the forecast period. Afternoons are expected to experience showers and thunderstorms over few places for the first three days; increasing to several places for the rest of the forecast period. The showers will be beneficial to the maize and Beans in Emergence, flowering and maturity stages in places like Kisii and Kakamega. The Northwestern counties (Turkana, West Pokot and Samburu), Mornings are expected to experience sunny intervals for the first two days, followed by rains over few places for the rest of the forecast period. Afternoons are expected to experience mainly showers and thunderstorms over few places except for the first three days of the forecast period when there will be sunny intervals. The showers continue to benefit the vegetation and 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 for the first three days, breaking into sunny intervals, except from the 4 th day to the end of the forecast period, when rains over few places are expected. Afternoons are expected to experience showers over few places on the first two days, increasing to several places for the rest of the forecast period. The showers will continue benefiting the crops that are in emergence and flowering stages in places like Nyahururu and Nyeri. Northeastern counties (counties of Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo), are expected to experience rains over several places in the morning while the afternoons are expected to experience showers over several places throughout the forecast period. The showers will replenish the vegetation and pasture in these regions. Southeastern lowlands (counties of Taita Taveta, Makueni, Machakos and Kitui mornings are expected to experience rains over few places while the afternoons are expected to experience showers over several places throughout the forecast period. The showers will have a positive impact on the vegetation and pasture for the animals kept in this region. In the Coastal strip (counties of Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, etc) are expected to experience showers over several places the entire day throughout the forecast period. The showers will benefit the cashew nuts that are in flowering stage in Lamu and enhance the germination of the maize planted in Msabaha. 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