The temperatures on Mount Kenya fluctuate greatly. This fluctuation is largest on the lower slopes of the moorland zone. At an altitude of there is an 11.5 °C mean range in daily temperature, this goes down to 7.5 °C at and 4 °C at . The diurnal temperature fluctuation reduces with altitude, and so the lapse rate decreases during the course of the day. This effect means the lapse rate during the day on Mount Kenya is lower than average for dry air. At night the lapse rate is again lower than average for dry air due to the katabatic winds from the glaciers. The temperature fluctuation is less in the wet season as the constant clouds act as a dampener.