Rainfall and Temperature Variations in a Dry Tropical Environment of Nigeria

Authors

  • David O. Edokpa

    Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, 500262, Nigeria
  • Precious N. Ede

    Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, 500262, Nigeria
  • Bridget E. Diagi

    Department of Environmental Management, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 460114, Nigeria
  • Susan I. Ajiere

    Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, 500262, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jasr.v6i2.5527
Received: 10 March 2023 | Revised: 05 April 2023 | Accepted: 10 April 2023 | Published Online: 14 April 2023

Abstract

This study examines long-term rainfall and temperature variations over a dry tropical environment in Nigeria. An assessment of the variations of these weather variables showcases the extent of climate change limits and corresponding effects on the biotic environment. Rainfall and temperature data were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency for a period of 31 years (1991-2020) for Kano and Katsina States. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the degree of variability of the weather variables across spatial domains. Results showed that there is a sharp contrast in mean annual rainfall amounts of 1154.1 mm and 569.6 mm for Kano and Katsina located in the dry continental and semi-arid climate zones of Nigeria respectively. It is revealed that the month of August had the highest mean monthly rainfall for both areas i.e. 359 mm and 194 mm with little or no trace during the dry season. The sharp difference in rainfall amount across spatial domains of the near similar climate zones shows that the Inter-tropical Discontinuity (ITD) does not completely overwhelm the northern band of Nigeria in August. The least variable monthly rainfall was in August and July with coefficient variations (CV) of 40% and 47% for Kano and Katsina. The months of February and March had the highest CV of 557% and 273% for the respective areas. In the examined areas the wet and dry seasons are from June-September and October-May respectively. The index of rainfall variability and drought intensity for the areas ranged from 0.85-0.95 and 45% indicating moderate variability and drought respectively. Mean annual temperature values are 33.4 °C and 33.8 °C for Kano and Katsina. The study recommends a proper climate observing scheme, most especially for agrarian practices so as to ensure profitable outputs for human sustainability.

Keywords:

Rainfall; Air temperature; Climate change; Kano State; Katsina State

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How to Cite

Edokpa, D. O., Ede, P. N., Diagi, B. E., & Ajiere, S. I. (2023). Rainfall and Temperature Variations in a Dry Tropical Environment of Nigeria. Journal of Atmospheric Science Research, 6(2), 50–57. https://doi.org/10.30564/jasr.v6i2.5527

Issue

Vol. 6 , Iss. 2 (April 2023)

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2023 Authors

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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