Residents in Nyeri are sharing videos of heavy rains and what they are calling snow.
For instance, on the TikTok account held by Glawie Lawrence, he posted a video with the caption:
“Othaya’s First Snow! ❄️🌨️ Othaya experienced something extraordinary today – SNOW! 🌨️ After a heavy downpour, the skies cleared, and to our astonishment, we walked out to find a blanket of pristine white covering the ground.”
He added how the snow excited him:
Watch one of the videos below:
“It was the first time many of us had ever seen snow in this area, and it felt like something out of a dream! ❄️ The air was crisp and cold, and the silence was broken only by the gentle sound of snowflakes falling. The whole landscape was transformed, with everything covered in a beautiful white layer. We all came out to marvel at this incredible sight, and it was truly a magical moment. It was a reminder that nature can surprise you with its beauty and wonder. This is a day we’ll never forget, and it will be a cherished memory in our hearts. 🥰”
Current Situation in Nyeri Snow everywhere.. pic.twitter.com/PDOTsH8v5B
— DJ K GAP (@deejay_kgap) January 28, 2025
TikTok user Mesh Guitarist humorously commented, “Haiiiya, Othayalifornia 😂,” while Nancy John joked, “Sleeping in Kenyan summer and waking up in UK winter 😂.”
Kenyans are making jokes about the weather, with a few more examples:
- Moha 🇪🇹: “Acha sasa to change jina to NyeriAngles.”
- Christine Gitonga: “Othayafornia.”
- Celine802: “It’s beautiful, majuu i ajileta Kenya 😂🥰.”
- Serahmunene166: “Mshhafika majuu nyinyi 🥰😂😂😂😂.”
But while many Kenyans thought they had seen a snowfall, this was most likely a hailstorm.
Here are some facts you may not know about those little (or not-so-little) pellets of ice:
- Both snow and hail are small pieces of ice that fall from the sky.
- Snowflakes are ice crystals, while hailstones are ice balls.
- Hailstones are formed when water drops are pressed and cooled against each other due to strong winds, while snowflakes are formed when water vapor crystallizes.
- Snowflakes usually form in nimbostratus clouds, while hailstones form in cumulonimbus clouds.
- Hailstones have rings, which can be seen when they are cut in half. Snowflakes come in different shapes but always have six points.
- Hail occurs during thunderstorms or tornadoes, while snow falls when the temperature drops.
- Hailstones are the large ice balls that fall during thunderstorms.
- The size of hailstones depends on the intensity of the storm and can range from small to large.
- Hailstones must be at least 0.2 inches in size.
- The largest hailstone ever recorded was the size of a volleyball and weighed nearly two pounds.
- Hailstones can cause damage to crops and homes if severe.
- Hailstones have been witnessed in Nyeri, Nyandarua, and Limuru areas.
by MAUREEN WARUINGE
