Narok County's climate is characterized by savanna grassland conditions with seasonal rainfall variations that support pastoral livelihoods, wildlife populations, and increasingly rainfed agriculture in elevated areas.
Rainfall Patterns
Narok receives bimodal rainfall with long rains from March to May and short rains from October to November. Annual rainfall ranges from approximately 500 millimeters in lowland pastoral areas to 1,200 millimeters in elevated western areas of the Mau Escarpment.
Rainfall distribution is highly variable both within years and between years, with periodic drought years creating severe water and feed scarcity affecting livestock and human populations.
Temperature and Elevation
Narok County spans elevation ranges from approximately 1,000 meters in eastern pastoral plains to over 2,500 meters in the Mau Escarpment western highlands.
Temperature varies with elevation, with lowland areas experiencing hot savanna conditions and highland areas having cooler temperate climates suitable for different vegetation and agricultural production.
Seasonal Patterns
Dry seasons from January to February and June to September create water scarcity and feed limitations for pastoral and wildlife populations. Pastoral communities employ transhumance (seasonal livestock movement) to track available water and forage.
Rainy seasons trigger vegetation growth that supports livestock and wildlife populations and enables pastoral mobility patterns and seasonal gathering concentrations.
Climate Variability and Drought
Severe droughts in 2000, 2011, and 2016-2017 caused significant livestock losses and humanitarian crises in pastoral areas. Climate variability has increased in frequency and intensity, affecting pastoral productivity and food security.
Cross-References
See also: Narok County, Narok Climate Change, Narok Livestock