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The climate of Kenya, due to its geographical position, is above all an equatorial climate. Despite this, however, only the coastal area has the characteristics of this type of climate. That is, constant temperatures and high humidity.
Further away from the coast, in the interior territories the climate of Kenya changes according to the altitude variation. In the flat areas of the interior of the country the climate is dry and hot, while, at higher altitudes, in the highlands the climate has mild temperatures with cool nights.
From the point of view of rainfall in general, one can distinguish a first rainy season which is included in the months between March and May and a second rainy season which includes the months between November to December. In general, the hottest months are February and March. By contrast, the coldest months are those of July and August.
TYPES OF CLIMATE IN KENYA
Due to the height differences, the Kenya climate can be divided into 4 main climatic areas:
THE CLIMATE OF COASTAL AREAS ALONG THE INDIAN OCEAN
The coastal strip has a hot and humid climate throughout the year. However, this climate is tempered by strong sea breezes. In these areas of the country (here we refer to the city of Mombasa) the maximum average temperatures vary between 32 ° C in March and 28 ° C in July, the average minimum temperatures vary between 20 ° C in August and 24 ° C of March.
On the coast near Mombasa the annual average rainfall exceeds 1,000 mm. In this area the rainiest months are April and May, a second less intense rainy season occurs between October and November.
THE CLIMATE OF NORTHERN KENYA AND INLAND PLAINS
In this area of the country the climate is very dry and arid, with high temperatures. This is especially true in the plains. Here maximum average temperatures are reached that vary during the year between 36 ° C and 33 ° C and minimum average temperatures that vary between 22 ° C and 25 ° C. Average annual rainfall varies between 500 mm in the central flat areas and 200 mm in the extreme northern regions.
THE CLIMATE OF THE HIGHLANDS OF KENYA
The area of the highlands of Kenya, that is the central and western part of the country, is mostly between 1,200 and 2,200 meters high. The climate of this region is characterized by two rainy seasons with an average rainfall of around 1,000 / 1,300 mm per year. Rain falls between April and May (the wettest months) and between November and December.
The Lake Victoria region is the rainiest in Kenya especially the highlands north and south of Kisumu. In these areas annual rainfall averages vary between 1,700 mm and 1,900 mm.
The capital Nairobi, is located in this region, and has a temperate climate moderated by altitude (1,661 m). Here the summers are sunny and warm while the winters are cool. The average maximum temperatures in Nairobi vary between 25 ° C in February and March and 20 ° C in July. While the average minimum temperatures vary between 10 ° C in July and 14 ° C in April. Rain falls between April and May (the wettest months) and between November and December. The driest months are those between June and September. The annual average rainfall is 1,000 mm.
THE CLIMATE OF THE MOUNTAINS
Areas that are located at heights above 2,500 meters have a colder climate. Frosts are possible in the mountains and snow also falls at higher altitudes.
WHEN TO GO TO KENYA
The best time for a visit to Kenya are the months between January and February and those between June and September. Both periods when the rains are less intense.
Official Kenya weather page.
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THE CLIMATE OF KENYA: CLIMATE TABLES
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| NAIROBI (1661 meters) | ||||
| Month | Average low (°C) | Average high (°C) | Precip. (mm) | Precip. days |
| January | 10,5 | 25,5 | 58,3 | 4 |
| February | 10,9 | 26,7 | 49,8 | 4 |
| March | 12,1 | 26,8 | 92,2 | 8 |
| April | 13,4 | 25,0 | 242,3 | 15 |
| May | 12,1 | 23,5 | 189,5 | 13 |
| June | 10,0 | 22,5 | 38,6 | 5 |
| July | 9,2 | 22,0 | 17,6 | 3 |
| August | 9,1 | 22,7 | 24,0 | 4 |
| September | 9,7 | 25,0 | 31,2 | 4 |
| October | 11,3 | 25,7 | 60,8 | 7 |
| November | 12,7 | 24,0 | 149,6 | 14 |
| December | 11,7 | 24,5 | 107,6 | 9 |
| YEAR | 11,1 | 24,5 | 1061,5 | 90 |
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| MOMBASA (50 meters) | ||||
| Month | Average low (°C) | Average high (°C) | Precip. (mm) | Precip. days |
| January | 22,0 | 33,2 | 33,9 | 3 |
| February | 22,5 | 33,7 | 14,0 | 1 |
| March | 22,9 | 33,7 | 55,6 | 5 |
| April | 22,7 | 32,5 | 154,3 | 10 |
| May | 21,6 | 30,9 | 235,5 | 14 |
| June | 20,1 | 29,4 | 88,3 | 10 |
| July | 19,3 | 28,7 | 71,8 | 10 |
| August | 19,3 | 28,8 | 68,2 | 8 |
| September | 19,7 | 29,7 | 67,2 | 9 |
| October | 20,9 | 30,5 | 103,4 | 9 |
| November | 22,1 | 31,6 | 104,7 | 8 |
| December | 22,0 | 32,8 | 75,8 | 7 |
| YEAR | 21,3 | 31,3 | 1072,7 | 94 |
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| MALINDI | ||||
| Month | Sea Water Temperature °C | |||
| January | 28 | |||
| February | 28 | |||
| March | 29 | |||
| April | 29 | |||
| May | 28 | |||
| June | 26 | |||
| July | 26 | |||
| August | 25 | |||
| September | 26 | |||
| October | 26 | |||
| November | 28 | |||
| December | 28 | |||
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