Metro
FG Releases 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to embrace early actions in order to maximise the benefits of the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for sustainable national and socio-economic development.
This is as the NiMet predicts an earlier than the long-term average rainfall in most parts of the country, with onset dates ranging from 2nd March to 7th July 2023.
The Minister of Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika stated this in Abuja during the launch of the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).
ROYAL NEWS reports that the 2023 SCP is themed:”Strengthening Climate Risk Early Warning Services for Improved Food Security and Disaster Risk Reduction in Nigeria”.
According to the prediction, while Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe in the north and Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers in the south are likely to experience a delayed onset.
The Onset is expected to become established in early March from the coastal states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom; in April for the Inland States of the South; in May around the Central States and around July in the northern states.
The agency also predicted an early End of Season (EoS) over parts of the South, especially in Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and eastern parts of Ogun and Lagos) and parts of Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi.
It however, predicted an extended rainfall season over parts of Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, western Ogun, and Lagos.
The End of Season period is expected to range from the 26th of September till 25th of December.
The length of growing season in most places in the country is expected to be near the long-term average, except for some parts of the northern states such as Katsina, Jigawa, and Kano where shorter than the long-term average length of the growing season is anticipated.
The season is expected to range from 84 to 283 days. Abuja and surrounding States are expected to witness between 170 and 230 days.
The annual total rainfall is predicted to be Normal to above normal in most parts of the country. However, in parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna and FCT that are likely to observe below normal to near normal annual rainfall amounts.
The annual rainfall amount is expected to range from 420mm in the far northernmost parts to 3253mm in the coastal areas.
Nigerians are however advised to also prepare for dry spell occurrence between June and early July as dry spell lasting between 15 to 21 days is in the forecast, especially from the central parts of the country to the North, although with less intensity, and it is expected to last between 14 and 20 days starting from late July especially over the Southwest of the country.
The Minister that assure that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency will ensure everything is done to bring updates to Nigerians should there be changes in any of the expected climatic parameter.
The Director General of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, acknowledged the support given to the Ministry of Aviation by President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in creating an
enabling environment and leadership required by the aviation industry including the Agencies to thrive.
He noted that such had made NiMet to continue to exceed expectations with prudent management of resources and performance driven action plans. All of which has resulted in improved visibility and relevance within and outside the shores of this country.
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