Climate for Station: Lodwar, Turkana County, Kenya

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Climate Analysis & Overview

Lodwar, located in Kenya's Turkana region, is experiencing a nuanced climate shift. While long-term trends show a slight warming, recent years indicate a cooling of daytime highs. The precipitation pattern has become marginally more even, reflecting subtle changes in local climate dynamics.

Köppen Climate and Local Geography

Lodwar is classified under the BSh category of the Köppen climate classification, indicating a semi-arid climate. The region is characterised by its proximity to Lake Turkana and the surrounding arid landscapes. These geographical features significantly influence the local climate, contributing to high temperatures and limited precipitation. The area's climate is shaped by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and its seasonal movements, affecting rainfall distribution and temperature patterns.

Temperature Trends and Variability

The all-time temperature trends for Lodwar reveal a slight warming. The highs have increased by 0.10°C (0.18°F), while the lows have risen by 0.22°C (0.40°F). This suggests a gradual warming over the long term. However, the last decade shows a contrasting pattern, with daytime highs experiencing a cooling trend, decreasing by 0.44°C (0.79°F). Conversely, nighttime lows have shown a more pronounced warming, increasing by 0.62°C (1.12°F). This divergence between long-term and recent trends highlights the complexity of climate dynamics in the region.

Precipitation Patterns and PCI Analysis

The Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) for Lodwar has shown a slight decrease from a baseline of 18.55 to a current value of 18.28. The PCI measures how precipitation is distributed over time, with lower values indicating more evenly spread rainfall. This marginal change suggests that rainfall events have become slightly more evenly distributed, although the region remains prone to concentrated rainfall events. Such changes could affect water availability and agricultural practices in the area.

Extreme Temperature Records

Lodwar has recorded a maximum temperature of 40.83°C (105.49°F) and a minimum of 12.60°C (54.68°F). These extremes underscore the variability and harshness of the local climate, influenced by its semi-arid nature. The high temperatures are typical for the region, driven by intense solar radiation and limited cloud cover.

Regional Climate Goals and Implications

Kenya has been actively pursuing climate resilience and adaptation strategies, focusing on sustainable water management and agricultural practices. The subtle shifts in Lodwar's climate, including the recent cooling of daytime highs and more evenly distributed rainfall, could offer insights for regional planning. Understanding these trends is crucial for developing strategies that align with national climate goals, ensuring the resilience of local communities against future climate variability.

Station Statistics

10-Year Trend

High: -0.44 °C/decade

Low: +0.62 °C/decade

Rain: +1.13 mm/decade

25-Year Trend

High: +0.06 °C/decade

Low: +0.41 °C/decade

Rain: +0.13 mm/decade

50-Year Trend

High: +0.10 °C/decade

Low: +0.22 °C/decade

Rain: +0.16 mm/decade

All-Time Trend

High: +0.10 °C/decade

Low: +0.22 °C/decade

Rain: +0.16 mm/decade

Percentage Above-Average Days

Last 12 Months: 52.6%

This Year: 75.9%

Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) ℹ️

Last 12 Months: 15.1

Historical Average: 21.9

Percentile Rank of Last 12 Months ℹ️

High: 51st percentile

Low: 90th percentile

Rain: 92nd percentile

Change in Variance ℹ️

High: +18.2%

Low: +9.6%

Intraday: +6.4%

Data Coverage

71.2%

First Year of Data

1957

Station Location

Historical Weather Records

Max HighAvg HighMin HighMax AvgAvg AvgMin AvgMax LowAvg LowMin LowMax PrecipitationAvg PrecipitationMax SnowAvg Snow
Record40.8 °C24.4 °C36.7 °C21.7 °C30.7 °C12.6 °C132.8 mm
January39.8 °C36.1 °C24.5 °C34.3 °C30.0 °C21.7 °C28.0 °C22.2 °C15.0 °C32.0 mm0.3 mm
February40.1 °C37.2 °C27.4 °C35.5 °C30.8 °C22.5 °C29.0 °C23.2 °C12.6 °C32.8 mm0.2 mm
March40.8 °C37.0 °C28.5 °C36.5 °C31.0 °C22.1 °C30.7 °C24.3 °C15.2 °C29.0 mm0.9 mm
April40.7 °C35.6 °C25.6 °C36.7 °C30.3 °C22.5 °C29.6 °C24.5 °C14.3 °C56.9 mm2.1 mm
May39.0 °C35.3 °C25.6 °C34.4 °C30.2 °C23.5 °C29.0 °C24.8 °C18.0 °C42.7 mm1.2 mm
June37.8 °C34.5 °C25.0 °C33.8 °C29.7 °C23.7 °C28.0 °C24.3 °C18.2 °C17.0 mm0.3 mm
July38.3 °C33.7 °C26.9 °C32.8 °C28.9 °C23.1 °C27.8 °C24.0 °C19.0 °C22.1 mm0.5 mm
August39.0 °C34.3 °C24.4 °C35.0 °C29.3 °C23.8 °C27.0 °C24.0 °C19.2 °C51.9 mm0.6 mm
September39.0 °C35.6 °C28.4 °C34.6 °C30.3 °C24.7 °C28.3 °C24.6 °C19.2 °C13.9 mm0.2 mm
October39.0 °C35.9 °C27.2 °C34.3 °C30.7 °C24.7 °C28.5 °C25.1 °C19.0 °C59.9 mm0.6 mm
November39.9 °C35.2 °C25.6 °C34.6 °C29.9 °C22.1 °C28.9 °C23.9 °C13.5 °C43.9 mm1.1 mm
December39.3 °C35.3 °C25.0 °C34.7 °C29.5 °C21.9 °C29.0 °C22.6 °C14.5 °C132.8 mm0.6 mm

Data Visualisations

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Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical

Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Max Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Min Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Average Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Rainfall this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Relative Humidity this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Max Wind Gusts this Year

Max Temperature this Year | 1 of 6

Climate 12-Month Moving Averages

Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Max Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Min Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Average Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Rainfall 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Relative Humidity 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Peak Wind Gust 12-Month MA

Max Temperature 12-Month MA | 1 of 6

Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year

Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Max Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Min Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Relative Humidity Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Peak Wind Gust Throughout Year

Average Max Temperature Throughout Year | 1 of 5