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Kenya Climate, Reviews , Rating Terrain, Rainfall, Weather Report Kenya

The weather in Kenya:
Kenya has a great climatic difference, which goes in parallel with the various geographical regions described in other places. As an Equatorial country, there is slight change in temperatures all over the year. However, among regions, there are great changes in average temperatures and rainfall. This climatologic difference is mainly because of the winds and the differences in the height above sea level.

The rainfall pattern is useful due to its influence on wildlife and the conditions of the road. During the rains, many routs become floody or muddy and are not used easily. The rainy season is separated in two periods; the long rains take place between March and June, while the short rains fall between October and November. Generally, temperatures are higher in the months of January, February and March, which correspond to the boreal winter.

The weather today and forecast (External links):
§ Kenya Meteorological Department.
§ Climate and vegetation by regions.
§ Rift valley and Highlands.
§ Kenya’s coast.
§ Lake Victoria basin.
§ N, NE and Eastern Highlands (Nyika).

Top rift Valley and Highlands:
Generally speaking, the moderate and mild climate in this region is influenced by the winds and the height above sea level. In Nairobi which is 1,700, high, temperatures range between 26-270C in the boreal winter months and has 230C in the boreal summer.
The lowest temperatures are 12-150C.
Definitely, temperatures fall at higher heights above sea level. In the region of Mount Kenya, average temperatures range between 12 and 18oC, with night temperatures below 100C. The night lows are also cold in the Aberdare region. Rainfall is always a lot in the rainy season, with higher levels in the long rains.

The savannah, which is the most peculiar and typical landscape in this region of the world, is in fact nothing but a change between rainforest and the arid steppe, and its origin as a natural or artificial ecosystem is said not to be true. It is mainly a grassland covered by gramineae and with variable existance of trees and bush, mostly acacia.

The savannah’s natural balance is a result of the action of many factors including; the regular rainfall pattern, which enables the growth of delicate pastures; movements of large groups of animals that feed on plants, which migrate looking for the young salt-rich pastures; and fire action, which makes it difficult for the overgrowth of trees and bush which would compete with grass for sunlight and the nutrients of the soil.

Groups of the Acacia genus, which belong to the Minosa family, coming up as tree or bush, are the most available and typical in the savannah.
One can easily differentiate acacias by their flat top, their hard thorns, their composed leaves, their cylindrical clustering flowers and also their leguminous like fruit. Their bark has got a lot of tannin and is used for making dies and pharmaceutical products. The most liked food for many of the animal groups, for example, giraffes, elephants and gerenlinks, is the acacia.

Over 1,300m, the highlands preserve the richest extensions of rainforest in Kenya, albeit they do not go beyond 3% of the total surface of the country.
The largest patches are in the region of Kenya mountain.
The entirely available species include ferns, Mediterranean cedars, junipers and conifers of the Podocarpus genus. Bamboo forests are available over 2,000m. At high heights above sea level, over 3,000m, species mostly heather, peat bogs, montane prairies and giant lobelias which fall under mountain vegetation predominate.

Top Kenya’ cost:
The mean temperatures in the Kenyan Indian Ocean Coast are about 280C per year. Generally, the weather at the coast is warm and humid, as matched to its latitude. Storms are often and temperatures do not usually fall below 210C, with the maximum about 320C during the boreal winter months, which are mostly drier and warmer. Total amount of rainfall in the year goes up to 1,100mm.

The conditions that turn this region into a favourable place for tropical vegetation are the temperature and humidity conditions. Mangroves and coconut palm trees grow along the shores and some patches of tropical rainforest are still there.

Top Lake Victoria basin:
Climate at the grounds of Lake Victoria is modulated by height above sea level, about 1,200m and by the moist winds coming from the Great lakes. Temperatures are high during the day and moderate at night, with maximum of 310C and minimum of 170C in
a year.

Some parches of tropical rainforest continue to exist at the slopes of Elgon mountain. The typical Highlands vegetation dominates this territory.

Top N, NE and Eastern Highlands (Nyika):
The Northern and NorthEastern regions have the worst climate, which is evidenced in the arid landscape. Rainfall is rare, with the levels about 350mm in a year. Temperatures are high throughout the year, going up to 370C during the day in the hottest months. Night temperatures rarely drop below 210C. In the Eastern Highlands, temperatures are also warm but lower, about 300C during the day and 200C at night, with higher mean rainfall, mostly in the places around Kilimanjaro mountain.

Vegetation in the North and NorthEast is scanty, mainly comprising of thorn bush. In the South area, there are acacias and tree cacti of the Euphorbia genus. The giant Baobab (Adansonia degitata), of the Bombacacea family, outstands for its spectacularity, at times going up to 18m high and with the trunks growing up to 9m in diameter. Its long and pulpy fruit is suitable for eating, and the bark is used for making ropes and cloth.

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