Kenya Braces for Varied Weather on August 22, 2026: From Chilly Highlands to Scorching North

Residents across Kenya should brace for a day of significantly varied weather conditions on Friday, August 22, 2026, as the national meteorological agency issues its daily forecast. The outlook highlights a striking contrast, with central regions experiencing notably chilly mornings while northern parts of the country face intense heat.

The daily report indicates temperatures plunging to a low of 9°C in areas like Nyandarua, while soaring to a sweltering 36°C in northern counties such as Mandera and Turkana. This wide temperature range underscores the diverse climatic zones within Kenya, impacting daily routines and agricultural activities.

Several regions are also slated to receive rainfall throughout the day. The advisory specifically notes, “Rainfall expected in some parts of Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Bungoma, Nyandarua, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu counties.” Coastal towns, including Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi, are anticipated to begin with light morning showers before transitioning to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Similarly, Bungoma, particularly around Mount Elgon, should expect light rains during the morning hours, with rainfall extending to parts of Western Kenya later in the day. Afternoon light showers and thunderstorms are also projected for Kericho and Kakamega, following recent data that showed Kisumu recorded over 20 mm of rain in the 24-hour period leading up to August 21.

Beyond precipitation, strong winds are a significant concern for several low-lying and coastal counties. The weather agency has issued a warning that “Strong southerly to southeasterly winds of above 25 knots (12.5m/s) expected over parts of Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Kitui Counties.” Such winds can pose risks to infrastructure and maritime activities, crucial for Kenya’s coastal communities and northern pastoralists.

A cool and often cloudy atmosphere will dominate the central highlands and surrounding areas. The department highlighted that “Intermittent cool and cloudy conditions are expected in some parts of Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Embu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Machakos, Makueni, Nairobi, Kajiado and Laikipia Counties.” This consistent cool weather affects daily life and agricultural practices in these densely populated regions.

For major urban centers, specific forecasts detail daily conditions. Nairobi residents can anticipate a cloudy morning, giving way to sunny intervals later, with temperatures peaking at 26°C and dropping to a minimum of 12°C overnight. Sunrise in the capital is scheduled for 6:33 am, with sunset at 6:37 pm. Coastal city Mombasa will experience maximum temperatures of 29°C and minimums of 22°C, with both sunrise and sunset occurring at 6:24 am. In Kisumu, the forecast calls for a high of 29°C and a low of 19°C, with sunrise at 6:40 am and sunset at 6:47 pm. These detailed local forecasts are vital for residents planning daily travel and outdoor activities across Kenya, as reported by K24 Digital.