Ref. No. Met/ 7/23 Date: 4th January 2010
REVIEW OF "SHORT RAINS" (OCTOBER - DECEMBER) 2009
In October 2009, the rainfall Onset was timely over most parts of the country. Indeed, some areas experienced an early rainfall Onset that was characterized by storms accompanied by heavy rainfall. Such areas include the Coastal and Northeastern districts where heavy and continuous rainfall was recorded as early as the first to second week of the month. Most places in these regions recorded more than 200 percent of their Long-Term Means (LTMs) rainfall. Lamu Meteorological Station along the Coastal strip recorded more than 900 percent of its LTM. Meru, Embu and Nyeri Meteorological Stations in the central highlands also recorded significant amounts of rainfall that well exceeded their LTMs.
The western parts of the country experienced low rainfall amounts that was generally depressed and characterized by poor spatial and temporal distribution. The most depressed rainfall of below 50 percent was recorded at Kisumu and Kisii in the Lake Victoria Basin.
Several rainfall storms were recorded in Northeastern, Central highlands and the Coastal strip during the month. Mtwapa Meteorological Station recorded the highest daily rainfall amounting to 127.8mm recorded on 27th October. On 10th October, Meru Meteorological Station recorded 100.1mm while on 28th October, Lamu and Malindi Meteorological Stations recorded 99.2 and 96.8 mm respectively. Other rainfall storms recorded during the month include 90.6mm at Malindi Meteorological Station on 14th October, 81.3mm at Embu Meteorological Station on 15th October and 81.2mm at Mombasa Meteorological Station on 26th October. In Northeastern Kenya, Mandera Meteorological Station recorded the heaviest storm amounting to 58.7mm