1. What is weather and what is climate?

• Weather — what the air is like on a particular day (sunny, rainy, windy, hot or cold).
• Climate — the usual pattern of weather in a place measured over many years (e.g., "Kenya has a warm climate with two rainy seasons in many places").

2. Main climate zones in Africa (simple)

• Equatorial / Tropical wet: Hot and wet all year near the equator (e.g., central Africa rainforests).
• Tropical wet and dry: Distinct wet and dry seasons (large parts of East Africa and West Africa).
• Desert: Very dry and hot (Sahara, Namib, parts of northern Kenya).
• Mediterranean: Mild, wet winters and dry summers (north and south coasts of Africa).
• Highland / Mountain: Cooler temperatures because of altitude (e.g., Kenyan Highlands, Mount Kenya).

3. Kenya: climate and weather features

Kenya lies on the equator, but different parts have different climates because of height and distance from the sea.

• Coast (Mombasa, Lamu): Hot, humid, influenced by the Indian Ocean. More rain during the long rains and short rains.
• Kenyan Highlands (Nairobi, Nyeri): Cooler and more comfortable because of altitude — good for farming.
• Rift Valley & Lake Victoria region: Rainfall varies; Lake Victoria brings more humidity and sometimes heavy rain.
• Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs) — north and northeast: Dry, often droughts, sparse vegetation, pastoral communities.
• Rainy seasons: Long rains (March–May) and short rains (October–December) — important for crops and water supply.

4. How weather and climate affect natural environments

• Rainfall determines the type of vegetation: rainforests, savannah grasslands, or deserts.
• Temperature and rain affect wildlife — migration, breeding seasons and food supply.
• Rivers, lakes and wetlands depend on climate; changes cause floods or droughts.
• Climate change is making rainfall less predictable — more droughts in ASALs and more intense storms in some areas.

5. Effects on historic built environments (important for conservation)

Weather and climate can damage old buildings and monuments. Examples in Kenya and East Africa:

• Salt and humidity at the coast: Coral stone and old timber in Lamu and Mombasa (Fort Jesus) suffer from salt spray, decay and algae.
• Heavy rains and floods: Can wash away earthen walls and foundations of old structures.
• Temperature changes and wind: Cause cracking, wear and loss of decorative parts of buildings.
• Drought and vegetation changes: Can cause soil shrinkage, which may make old foundations unstable.

6. Examples (Kenyan historic places)

• Lamu Old Town: Swahili coral stone houses need protection from humidity, salt and termites.
• Fort Jesus (Mombasa): Built of coral and limestone — conservation work must manage salt damage and marine weathering.
• Traditional homesteads (manyattas): Thatch and mud need regular repair after rains; climate changes make upkeep hard for pastoral communities.

7. How people adapt buildings to climate

• Use of thick walls and small windows for cool interiors (highlands and hot areas).
• Raised floors and good drainage for rainy areas to prevent flood damage.
• Roof overhangs and verandas to keep rain off walls and allow shade (common in coastal and rural houses).
• Local materials: coral stone, laterite, timber and clay — chosen for availability and how they cope with local weather.
• Modern fixes: protective coatings, salt-proofing, and careful maintenance for historic buildings to preserve them.

8. Short classroom activity (5–15 minutes)

1. Make a simple weather diary for one week: record temperature (or how warm), rain (yes/no), wind (strong/weak) and cloud cover each day.
2. Compare your diary with a friend who lives in a different part of Kenya (coast vs. highland vs. ASAL). What differences do you see?
3. Discuss how these differences might affect farming, tourism or the way houses are built.

9. Key vocabulary

Equator, rainy season, drought, humidity, highlands, coastal erosion, conservation.

Question to think about: How would you design a school building that can cope with both heavy rains and long dry spells?