The Kenya Meteorological Department. [Photo/Citizen TV]The weatherman has issued the first warning for a possible heatwave in Kenya.The Director of Kenya Meteorological Services, Peter Ambenje said bursts of extreme heat will hit northern Kenya counties this month and could trigger the weather condition, reports the Star.“The expected high daytime time temperatures (30 - 40°C) in Northwestern and Northeastern parts of the country may give rise to heat waves that are a potential health risk,” Ambeje said on Wednesday in a month-long forecast as quoted by the Star.If it happens, this would be the first time Kenya has experienced a heatwave. According to Wikipedia a heatwave as a period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity. A heat wave is measured relative to the usual weather in the area and relative to normal temperatures for the season.Ambenje said drought in these areas will worsen and sandstorms may also occur in some areas. The regions affected by the warning are Moyale, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera Garbatulla, Garissa Lodwar, Lokichoggio and Lokitaung. Ambenje said the Coast strip will also experience high temperatures throughout the month, adds the Star.Elevated heat can kill when the body is unable to cool itself effectively. Normally, the body can cool itself through sweating, but when humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, potentially leading to heat stroke.The January weather outlook shows the entire country will remain generally sunny and dry.“A few areas in western Kenya, especially those to the south of the Lake Victoria and the southern parts of central Rift Valley are, however, likely to experience occasional light to moderate rainfall that may occasionally spread to the central region including Nairobi,” Ambenje said.Mt Kenya region is expected to experience generally sunny conditions throughout the month though there maybe some light showers.Southeastern lowlands, which include Machakos, Makindu, Voi, Taita, Taveta and the Coastal strip will likely to remain generally sunny and dry throughout the month, he says.

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