NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a strong wind and wave warning set to hit from Friday, May 23 at 3am to Sunday, May 25 at 11am.
The advisory affects a wide swath of the country and includes heightened risks for coastal and inland communities alike.
According to the Met Department, winds will start picking up speed Friday, blowing at over 30 knots (15.4 m/s) across the Coast, South-Eastern lowlands, and Northwestern Kenya. By Saturday and Sunday, that intensity will surge to 35 knots (18.0 m/s)—strong enough to damage rooftops and disrupt marine activity.
Wave Watch: Coastal Waters Set for Turbulence
Alongside the gusty conditions, large waves—more than two meters high—are expected to churn up the Indian Ocean from Friday through Sunday. By Monday, both wind and wave conditions are forecast to ease, with wind speeds dropping to 25 knots (12.9 m/s) and wave heights settling below the two-meter mark.
Counties on high alert include Mombasa, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Marsabit, Turkana, Isiolo, Mandera, and Garissa, among others. The Met Department has warned that the winds could cause structural damage and the waves could impair visibility—bad news for fishermen, cargo ships, and coastal tourism operators.
“If you live in any of the affected counties, stay updated, stay indoors where possible, and keep an eye on your roof,” Met said in a statement. And yes, they’ve promised regular updates should conditions change.
Rain, Chill & Heat: Kenya’s Weather Rollercoaster Continues
As the wind warning rolls in, parts of the country are still soaked from ongoing downpours. From May 20 to May 26, heavy rains are expected to continue in areas such as the Central Highlands, Lake Victoria Basin, parts of the Rift Valley, and sections of the Coast and Western Kenya. So, if it’s not the wind that’ll get you, it might just be the rain.
And here’s a twist—while some regions brace for flooding, others are sweltering. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach 30°C in the Coast, North-Eastern, North-Western, and parts of the South-Eastern lowlands. Meanwhile, night-time temps could plunge below 10°C in higher altitude zones like Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Central Rift, and Western Kenya.
This mix of extremes—gusty winds, giant waves, pounding rain, and drastic temperature shifts—makes this one of the most dynamic weekends on Kenya’s weather radar this year.
If you had beach plans, it might be time to cancel. This isn’t just your regular weather update—it’s a cautionary tale. With potential gales, hazardous waves, and flash floods all on the table, staying safe means staying informed.
For continuous updates and safety tips, keep tabs on the Kenya Met Department and your county government’s emergency alerts. Mother Nature is turning up the volume, and it’s best we all listen.
