Kenya Met Warns Of Flight Delays, Disruptions During March-May Long Rains
The weatherman while unveiling the weather projections on Wednesday, January 29 revealed that the long rains could lead to reduced visibility from heavy storms
Marvin Chege 
The Kenya Meteorological Department has cautioned that the March-April-May rains could lead to a series of flights into and out of the country and within regional destinations affected.
The weatherman while unveiling the weather projections on Wednesday, January 29 revealed that the long rains could lead to reduced visibility from heavy storms, a matter which significantly affects flights and airport operations in several ways:
Delays and Cancellations: Low visibility may prevent aircraft from taking off or landing safely, leading to flight delays or cancellations. Airports may need to temporarily suspend operations until conditions improve.
Instrument Landings: Pilots rely on Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and other navigation aids to land in low-visibility conditions. However, extremely poor visibility can still make landings risky, requiring diversions to alternate airports.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) Restrictions: ATC implements stricter separation between aircraft during storms to ensure safety. This reduces the number of planes that can take off and land per hour, leading to air traffic congestion.
Flooding at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's (JKIA) Tower Avenue Underpass as of April 28, 2024. /CONSTRUCTION KENYA.DENNIS NYAMBANE
Ground Operations Disruptions: Ramp workers, baggage handlers, and fueling crews may face unsafe conditions due to heavy rain, lightning, or strong winds, slowing down aircraft turnaround times.
Diversions: If an airport's visibility drops below safe operating limits, incoming flights may be rerouted to other airports, increasing fuel costs and logistical challenges for airlines and passengers.
Passenger Experience: Poor visibility can cause extended delays, long wait times, and rebooking challenges for travellers, leading to frustration and customer service strain.
Emergency Situations: Reduced visibility increases the risk of runway incursions and taxiway accidents, requiring heightened vigilance and coordination among pilots, ground crews, and ATC.
Overall, heavy storms can create significant operational challenges for airports, airlines, and passengers, requiring advanced planning, contingency strategies, and adaptive decision-making to minimize disruptions and ensure safety.
As a result of this, KMD advised aviation stakeholders including pilots to plan on utilising alternative safe airports and upgrade existing airstrips to handle larger aircraft, in preparation for any possible diversions.
They are also advised to check regular weather updates that will be provided by the weatherman as well as the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and local media platforms such as Viral Tea, the country's leading aviation news platform.
The weatherman also recommended that alternative routes/ modes of transport, which include aircraft and mass rapid transit systems be in place ahead of that rainy season as well as repairing and restoring damaged infrastructure.
On April 27, 2024, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's (JKIA) Tower Avenue Underpass was flooded during heavy rainfall experienced in Nairobi, a matter which stresses the need for advanced preparation to avoid costly disruptions at major airports across the country.
A day before, operations at the airport's Terminal 1C were brought to a standstill over leaking roofs, the second such occurrence in five months, with litres of water pouring through the roofs and onto the terminal's interior, leaving check-in desks and luggage conveyor belts among others soaking wet.
Weather Outlook
Meanwhile, Met Director General Dr David Gikungu said on Wednesday that the season in most parts would run between February and June. The announcement which comes amid heavy downpours in some parts of the country especially Nairobi over the past few days, states that some parts will receive high and others low rainfall.
The Lake Victoria Basin and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley are expected to experience above-average rainfall starting in February with the peak expected in April and May for most areas. “The MAM 2025 forecast indicates that near to above-average rainfall is expected over the Lake Victoria Basin, South Rift Valley, most of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the southern parts of the Southeastern lowlands and the extreme northern parts of northwestern Kenya,” KMD stated.
Counties in the Lake Victoria Basin, South Rift Valley and some parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley include Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Narok, Bomet, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Nandi, Kakamega and Vihiga.
Counties in Central and North Rift Valley and parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley where above-average rains also start in February are Nakuru, Baringo, Western parts of Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma and Southern parts of West Pokot.
Aerial view of aircraft at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. /BUSINESS DAY
The weatherman at the same time predicted that counties in the highlands East of the Rift Valley and Nairobi County would begin experiencing rains between the fourth week of March and April. Some of the affected counties are Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nairobi Counties and eastern parts of Laikipia County.
South Eastern Lowlands of Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties are expected to experience occasional rains in February followed by a dry spell before the season rains kick off towards the end of March or the beginning of February.
However, the North Coast region of Lamu, Coastal parts of Tana River, Northern parts of Kilifi, Coastal region, Northwest of Turkana and Samburu and Northern parts of West Pokot will begin receiving their rains in April. The North Eastern counties of Wajir, Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera and Marsabit will also have their onset in the same period.
While cautioning the public to watch out for storms in some areas, the Met Department has also urged the public to consider the outlook of a 24-hour, 5-day, 7-day, monthly forecast for a more detailed weather change.
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