types of rainfall in nigeria

You can even count them and you can determine how many times the drops travelled vertically in the atmosphere. If the intensity of the rain is too high (about 100 mm per hour), then it is called a shower. In densely populated areas of the savanna, such as those around the towns of Sokoto, Kano, and Katsina, the vegetation has been removed by continuous cropping, overgrazing, and bush burning. Inland, it decreases to around 130 cm (50 inch) over most of central Nigeria and only 50 cm (20 inch) in the extreme north. Temperature and humidity remain relatively constant throughout the year in the south, while the seasons vary considerably in the north; during the northern dry season the daily temperature range becomes great as well. In the far south, rainfall is more abundant, so much so that it exceeds 600 mm (23.5 in) per year; therefore, we are out of the Sahel proper. There are an estimated 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria. Rainfall decreases progressively away from the coast; the far north receives no more than 20 inches (500 mm) a year. The average amount of annual precipitation is: 999.9 mm (39.37 in) Southern Nigeria: The four observed seasons are: (i) The Long Rainy Season: This starts in March and lasts to the end of July, with a peak period in June over most parts of southern Nigeria. The northern savanna abounds in guinea fowl. The solution to healthcare problems in Nigeria. Forests. The mean annual rainfall along the coast in the south- east is 4000mm while it is only 500mm in the north- east. Climate data and weather averages in Lagos. Kingdoms and empires of precolonial Nigeria, Controversies surrounding the 2007 presidential election, Nigeria under Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, The 2015 elections and electorate concerns, Recession, fight against corruption, and insecurity. A smaller proportion live in large towns and are culturally much closer to the Edo of neighbouring Benin City (in Edo state) than to the Igbo east of the lower Niger valley. Nigeria - Nigeria - Climate: Nigeria has a tropical climate with variable rainy and dry seasons, depending on location. Statistical Analysis of Rainfall Trend in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria 117 MATERIALS AND METHODS The type of data required for this research is rainfall data measured in millimeters (mm) collated for twelve (12) months of the year. Atmospheric precipitation is water in a liquid or solid state, dropping out of the atmosphere. The northern part of Nigeria has the lowest amount of rainfall in a year sometimes as little as 120 to 130 rainy days in Kano and even lesser by 10 to 20 days in Katsina and Sokoto. This causes the air to cool and the moisture in the air condenses and rain falls. The moisture-laden wind blows in from the sea because the Relief rainfall frequently occurs near mountains beside the sea. Also, this type of precipitation is distinguished, such as rain and snow. It all starts when the sun begins to warm up the earth's surface. Mangrove and freshwater swamps occur along the coast and in the Niger delta. Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal Publisher: Global Journals Inc. (USA) Online ISSN: 2249-460x & Print ISSN: 0975-587X . This type of forests is found in the Niger River Delta, which is characterized by the precipitation level of 1500 – 2000 mm/8-9 month of rainfall. In savannah, the intensity of rain decreases as it moves from south to north. The drops in the clouds grow larger and larger, gathering more and more moisture. No single factor can be singled out as the only factor responsible for each flood type, though, a factor (e.g. In the central regions of the country it’s even drier - the … Rodents such as squirrels, porcupines, and cane rats constitute the largest family of mammals. Frontal rainfall. It is worth noting that the hail is a serious disaster for agriculture, because it can easily destroy all the plants on the plantation. We have long learned how to determine the likelihood of the weather through some external signs. The volumes of vapor formation depend on the latitude of the terrain, as well as on the intensity of solar radiation. Nigeria today has about forty-four (44) weather observation stations which provide measurement of rainfall amount for different locations across the country. Relief rainfall occurs when air has been blown over the sea and is then forced up over an area of high land. Less numerous are the Ibibio, who live near the Igbo and share many of their cultural traits, and the Edo, who created the important precolonial kingdom of Benin. Gallery forests (narrow forest zones along rivers) are also characteristic of the open savanna in the north. The rivers contain crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and a great variety of fishes. Under the influence of heating, the water masses that are contained in the oceans, seas, rivers, are converted into water vapor, mixing with air. At grandly-organised weddings, burials, child naming or dedications, and birthdays, people—regardless of financial status—come forward while dancing to rain money on those on the dance floor. But … This type of solid precipitation is formed at high altitudes (at least 5 kilometers), where the air temperature is always below -15 degrees. Now you know how atmospheric precipitation forms and the causes of rainfall. The amount of precipitation in a particular area can be measured. In addition, it is almost impossible to determine the approach of an hailstorm in advance. The Savannah climate is a popular type of climate in Nigeria. This type of rainfall is common in places with mountains and sea. Federal University of Technology, Nigeria. The average level of precipitation a year on the planet is 1000 mm. Showers are formed on cold atmospheric fronts, within the limits of unstable air masses. The hot Harmattan wind from the Sahara sweeps across the northeastern areas which. Nigeria has two main relief regions: the high plateaux ranging between 300 and more than 900m above sea level, and the lowlands, which are generally less than 300 m. The high plateaux include the North Central Plateau, the Eastern and North Eastern Highlands and the Western Uplands. Semidesert conditions exist in the Lake Chad region, where various species of acacia and the doum species of palm are common. This process is called condensation, and these water particles form the clouds that we admire in the sky. There have been pandemonium among Nigerians concerning the forecast of acid rainfall between March 20th and 28th 2010. Other common birds include quail, vultures, kites, bustards, and gray parrots. Annual Weather Averages Near Lagos. Individuals who are not members of a dominant group but who have lived and worked for several decades in the territory of the group are still considered to be aliens. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. However the pattern was inconsistence for the remaining year with some kind of fluctuations. It is hot and wet most of the year in the southeast but dry in the southwest and farther inland. In the southwest large areas of forest have been replaced by cacao and rubber plantations. The third major ethnic group, the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria, lives in small decentralized and democratic settlements. There are different types of precipitation and this makes our nature beautiful and unique. CHANGES IN RAINFALL CHARACTERISTICS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA AONDOVER TARHULE1 and MING-KO WOO* School of Geography and Geology, McMaster Uni6ersity, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada Recei6ed 4No6ember 1996 Re6ised 27February 1998 Accepted 2March 1998 ABSTRACT This study examines recent changes in several rainfall characteristics in northern Nigeria. These solid precipitates fall at minus-zero temperature and take the form of snow crystals, commonly referred to snowflakes. Let us consider this process in more details. Do not confuse them with hail. pattern of rainfall in Nigeria using data on the average rainfall for a period of eleven years was examined. Then the natural cycle is repeated again and again. Among the top Africa nations, Nigeria standout in terms of vegetation. A hail in its internal structure is very similar to a bulb: it consists of several layers of ice. Interesting! It consists of a cylindrical vessel 127mm in diameter with a base enlarged to 210mm diameter. Average rainfall along the coast varies from about 180 cm (70 in) in the west to about 430 cm (170 inch) in certain parts of the east. Averages are for Lagos / Ikeja, which is 8 miles from Lagos. Thus, atmospheric precipitation is born, the species of which depend on specific meteorological conditions in a certain locality. All types of precipitation can be divided into three main groups: Rainfall can also be liquid (rain, drizzle, fog) or hard (snow, hail, frost). Next, the … Lagos has dry periods in January and December. Example – Symons Rain Gauge. Rainfall can also be liquid (rain, drizzle, fog) or hard (snow, hail, frost). Economically valuable, the oil palm grows wild and is usually preserved when forest is cleared for cultivation. So, for rain to fall, it is necessary to interact with three components: the sun, the surface of the Earth and the atmosphere. Agriculture in Nigeria is a branch of the economy in Nigeria, providing employment for about 35% of the population as of 2020. As a result, they become so heavy that they can no longer hold in the atmosphere, and fall down. Types of Vegetation Zones in Nigeria. Their size depends on how long these processes took place in the atmosphere. It is hot and wet most of the year in the southeast but dry in the southwest and farther inland. In general, mean maximum temperatures are higher in the north, while mean minimum temperatures are lower. Certain people attend ceremonies in Nigeria just to partake in this interesting practice. Rain, snow or hail - all these concepts are not foreign to us. Relief rainfall frequently occurs near mountains beside the sea. The largest political unit is the village, which is ruled by a council of elders (chosen by merit, not heredity) rather than by a chief. This type of tropical rainforest climate produces heavy rainfall, with a constant temperature range with little differentiation. Nigeria has a tropical climate with variable rainy and dry seasons, depending on location. Meteorologists allocate a few dozen. Town-dwelling Fulani intermarry freely with the Hausa and other groups, and they continue to control the administration of the Hausa towns. By After School Africa Last updated Jul 29, 2013. This is a kind of liquid precipitation in the form of water droplets, … Analysis of Rainfall and Temperature Variability Over Nigeria . After rising to a certain height, it cools, and the moisture in it gradually turns into drops of water or into ice crystals. This climate is influenced by the monsoons originating from the South Atlantic ocean, which is brought into the country by the (maritime tropical) MT airmass, a warm moist sea to land seasonal wind. The most humid regions are the delta of the Niger and the south-east of the country, there is more than 4000 mm of precipitation in a year. The cattle-herding rural Fulani, who generally do not intermarry, speak the Fulani language, Fula, rather than Hausa. A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the months: April, May, June, July and October. In general, the length of the rainy season … In Gaya , 825 mm (32.5 in) of rain fall per year, of which 70 mm (2.8 in) fall already in May, and with maximum of and 250 mm (10 in) in August. The savanna becomes more open in the far north and is characterized by scattered stunted trees and short grasses. The northern-dwelling Hausa, one of the most numerous groups in the country, have become integrated with the smaller Fulani group, whose members conquered Hausaland in the early 19th century; the great majority of both are Muslims. Nigerian agriculture is mainly rain-fed and basically dependent on the vagaries of weather especially rainfall. In the more densely populated parts of the southeast, the original forest vegetation has been replaced by open palm bush. On the coast the mean monthly maximum temperatures are steady throughout the year, remaining about 90 °F (32 °C) at Lagos and about 91 °F (33 °C) at Port Harcourt; the mean monthly minimum temperatures are approximately 72 °F (22 °C) for Lagos and 68 °F (20 °C) for Port Harcourt. Nigeria’s growing population is a result of a high fertility rate and increasing life expectancy. A savanna climate, with marked wet and dry seasons, prevails in the north and west, while a steppe climate with little precipitation is found in the far north. With a yearly average of 33 °C the climate in Nigeria ist warm, but has only a few really tropical and sticky months. In the south the rainy season lasts from March to November, whereas in the far north it lasts only from mid-May to September. Each Yoruba subgroup is ruled by a paramount chief, or oba, who is usually supported by a council of chiefs. Depending on the intensity, rain can be drizzling, hard or stormy. rainfall) can cause all flood types. In most rural areas, such aliens may not acquire outright title to land, yet considerable numbers of people have migrated from one ethnic territory to another in search of farmland. Acid rain Forecast in Nigeria-Causes and Effects. It should be noted that all these features and signs are the result of very complex processes in the earth's atmosphere. Since the late 1960s it has been based primarily on the petroleum industry. The ooni (oni) of Ile-Ife, who is the spiritual leader of the Yoruba, and the alaafin (alafin) of Oyo, who is their traditional political leader, are the most powerful rulers, and their influence is still acknowledged throughout the Yoruba areas. Non-recording type rain gauge is most common type of rain gauge used by meteorological department. For instance, if you notice gray and cloudy sky, then this could mean rainfall. The tropical monsoon climate, designated by the Köppen climate classification as "Am", is found in the southern part of the country. Consistent with the rise of Nigeria as an increasingly dangerous hot spot, 28 of the 30 seafarers kidnapped globally between January and June 2013 were in Nigeria. Our latest episode for parents features the topic of empathy. By Akinsanola A. In Nigeria, the climate is tropical, semi-arid in the far north, ... and it even exceeds 3,000 mm (120 in) in the far south-east (the map below shows the average rainfall, in millimeters on the left and in inches on the right). It is formed from drops of water, which, after they hit the surface, rises sharply in the vortices of cold air. Camels, antelopes, hyenas, lions, baboons, and giraffes once inhabited the entire savanna region, and red river hogs, forest elephants, and chimpanzees lived in the rainforest belt. It is warm to hot all year round and invites to bathe at average water temperatures of 27 degrees. Types of Rain Gauges 1. We first need to understand the concept of acid rain, it’s scientifically proven causes and effects. In the southern part of the country, the seasons could be classified as March, April, May (MAM), April, May, June (AMJ) and June, July, August, September, (JJAS) while the northern area has one rainfall season – June, July, August, September, (JJAS). Describe each and give conditions when the occur. Most Yoruba are farmers but live in urban areas away from their rural farmland. Sometimes humidity ist unpleasantly high from July to September. the empirical study of seasonal rainfall effect in Calabar, Nigeria. Regions in Nigeria with low-lying topography and heavy rainfall, such as the Niger Delta region, are likely to experiences perennial floods owing to its location. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. It is the main source of livelihood for most Nigerians. A marked interruption in the rains occurs during August in the south, resulting in a short dry season often referred to as the “August break.” Precipitation is heavier in the south, especially in the southeast, which receives more than 120 inches (3,000 mm) of rain a year, compared with about 70 inches (1,800 mm) in the southwest. They consider the city of Ile-Ife their ancestral home and the deity Oduduwa their progenitor. There have been cases when hails dropped to the ground weighing up to 1-2 kilograms! There is some major piracy in Nigeria, with attacks directed at all types of vessels. The main vegetation patterns run in broad east-west belts, parallel to the Equator. How does hail happen? They are identified with the mangrove swamps located around the delta region of River Niger and Cross River. Data was gathered through a well designed and articulated oral and written questionnaires, direct and first-hand observation of the environment, and comprehensive interview sessions were carried out with randomly selected Landlords . In the late 19th century, the colonial leadership in which Nigeria was under then established forest reserves. Its warmth and high humidity gives it a strong tendency to ascend and produce copious rainfall, which is a result of the condensation of water vapour in the rapidly rising air. The processes of vaporization occur throughout the day, constantly, to a greater or lesser extent. The result showed a continuous increase in the pattern of rainfall for a period of five years within the period under study. In the northeastern city of Maiduguri, for example, the mean monthly maximum temperature may exceed 100 °F (38 °C) during the hot months of April and May, while in the same season frosts may occur at night. A savanna climate, with marked wet and dry seasons, prevails in the north and west, while a steppe climate with little precipitation is found in the far north. A series of world oil price increases from 1973 produced rapid economic growth in transportation, construction, manufacturing, and government services. 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