Hot nights, dusty winds raise weather concerns in Nairobi

Nairobi residents are raising concerns over unusually warm nights and strong, dust-laden winds that swept across parts of the city, disrupting the capital’s typically cool evenings as the country awaits the short rains.

The contrasting weather conditions have prompted questions about changing weather patterns, delayed rainfall and the effects of rising temperatures, with residents reporting uncomfortable nights and unusually dusty conditions in several neighbourhoods.

On Thursday evening, October 22, unusually strong winds swept through South C and Nairobi West, lifting thick clouds of dust and sharply reducing visibility.

Some residents initially expected rain as the winds picked up, only for dust to engulf the neighbourhoods.

Carpathia Mzungu, a Nairobi resident, described the experience as unusual, saying she had never witnessed such dusty conditions in the six years she had lived in the city.

“Just now, suddenly there was a very strong wind around Nairobi, mainly South C and Nairobi West. The winds brought some clouds of dust, extremely dusty,Initially it felt like rain was coming, but it was just dust.

The incident sparked debate online, with some residents questioning whether environmental changes or El Niño could explain the conditions.

Meanwhile, the city has been experiencing warmer-than-usual nights, with daytime sunshine heating roads, buildings and rooftops, which then release stored heat gradually after sunset.

The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) forecast daytime temperatures of between 29°C and 31°C in Nairobi from October 23 to 27, alongside partly cloudy nights. Friday, October 23, was expected to record a high of 30°C and a minimum of 23°C.

Weather expert Maithya wa Vilivū said seasonal models suggested that Nairobi could remain warmer than usual through the final quarter of 2026 and into early 2027, with temperatures projected to be between 0.5°C and 1.5°C above normal.

Daytime temperatures could range between 28°C and 30°C, with some parts of the city exceeding 30°C.

Cloud cover can also slow night-time cooling by reducing the amount of heat escaping from the Earth's surface.

Combined with heat stored in concrete and tarmac, this can leave homes and outdoor spaces uncomfortably warm long after sunset.

The conditions come as Kenya enters the October-to-December short-rains season.

 However, the onset and distribution of rainfall have been affected by atmospheric conditions, according to the Kenya Meteorological Service.

Hannah Kimani, Director of Public Weather Services at the service, explained that the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which normally moves southwards during this period and brings rain to many parts of Kenya, had been affected by low-pressure systems over the northern Indian Ocean.

The disruption has contributed to delayed rainfall in some areas.

Dry ground, meanwhile, provides loose dust that strong winds can lift into the atmosphere, offering a possible explanation for the dusty conditions witnessed in Nairobi.

In its seven-day forecast covering October 22 to 29, the meteorological service said rainfall was expected in parts of 45 counties, including Nairobi and Marsabit.

 It also warned of isolated storms that could trigger flash floods in parts of Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale.

However, rainfall is not expected to be evenly distributed, meaning some areas could receive showers while others remain dry.

The broader picture is unfolding against a backdrop of global warming, which scientists say is increasing average temperatures and intensifying heat extremes.

In Europe’s deadly summer of 2026 offered a stark illustration of the risks associated with extreme heat.