Weather and climate in Kenya
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere of a place at a particular time. The
weather of a place changes from time to time.
Elements of weather are the conditions of the atmosphere, they include:
Rainfall - rain, supports the growth of vegetation.
Wind - warm and moist winds bring rain
Temperature - the hotness or coldness of a place
Cloud cover - heavy cloud cover brings heavy rainfall
The weather conditions of a place can be observed, measured and recorded
for a period of time. The recorded observations are used to calculate the
average weather conditions of that place.
Climate
Refers to the average weather conditions of a particular place over a
long period of time.
Climate can be described as wet, dry, hot, cold, warm or
cool.
The characteristics of climatic regions in Kenya are:
a. Modified Equatorial Climate.
Covers the coastal areas near Indian ocean and Lake Victoria.
Experiences heavy convectional rainfall 1000 mm - 1500 mm.
It has two rainy seasons - long and short rains.
The region receives convectional rainfall. This type of rainfallis formed
by warm air which rises from the surface of the Indian Ocean or Lake
Victoria.
Rainfall is well distributed throughout the yeaRainfall is affected by the winds blowing from the ocean tothe coast.
Temperature range between 250C - 3O0C
The region is mainly hot and wet.
b. Modified Tropical Climate
Covers the Kenya highlands and parts of the Rift valley
The area receives rainfall throughout the year
Rainfall is between 1200 mm - 2000 mm
Low temperatures ranging between 18 0 C - 210 C
The region is mainly cools and wet
It is modified by the high altitude.
c. Mountain Climate
The region covers areas with high mountains like Mount Kenya and
Mount Elgon.
➢ Experiences cool and wet conditions
➢ The region is cold and wet
➢ Temperatures range from 00C - 150 C
➢ High rainfall of between 1250mm and 2200 mm.
➢ The region is characterized by two sides, the leeward sideand the
windward side.
➢ The windward side receives relief rainfall and the leeward side is drier.
➢ The climate is mainly influenced by altitude.
d. Tropical Climate
➢ The region covers Kwale, Taita and Narok areas
➢ Experiences high temperatures
➢ It has one rainy season
➢ In some parts the dry season lasts up to five months
➢ Rainfall of not above 1000mm per year.
e. Semi-desert Climate
➢ Covers areas in Northern, North-eastern and some parts of Eastern Kenya.
➢ Temperatures are high during the day and low at night.
➢ Experiences high temperatures which may rise to 380C
➢ Mainly hot and dry
➢ Low rainfall of below 250mm per year
➢ The sky is clear.
Desert Climate
o Experienced in Chalbi and Taru deserts
o Most of the months are dry causing droughts
o High temperatures throughout the year - average 380C
o Clear skies
o High daytime temperatures and low night temperatures.
コメント