Peculiar weather occurrence as snow covers Nyahururu roads

Residents of Laikipia County were on Tuesday, July 4 treated to a peculiar weather occurrence after icy rain or snow was noted along the Rumuruti – Nyahururu road and the adjacent farms.

A section of the road, few kilometers to Nyahururu, was covered by snow – a sight Kenyans have become accustomed to watching on screens during winter in Europe – and motorists were witnessed putting their journey to a halt, just to have a closer look while others shared videos on social media.

The fact that the Equator lies along Kenya as well as vast regions being classified as Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL), snowfall is a rare occurrence in the country.

In fact, the only snow that Kenyans have witnessed within the country is at the tip of Mt. Kenya, the second highest point in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro.

But because Nyahururu is near to Mt. Kenya makes it possible for a snowfall in the region.

For snow to fall to the ground, the temperature must be cold both up in the clouds where snowflakes form and down at the ground level.

If the air near ground level is too warm, the snow will melt on its way down.

A similar occurrence was noted in Elgeyo Marakwet county.