The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has unveiled the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), and predicted a delayed onset of rain in some parts of the country, especially the North Central states of the country.
“An early end of the season is predicted for parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun, and Lagos states.
“However, a late cessation is predicted over the southern states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti, and parts of Edo, Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, FCT, Niger, and Kaduna.
“The annual rainfall amount is predicted to be below normal over parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kebbi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa states when compared to their long term normal,” NiMet said
The agency, however, anticipated that other parts of the country are likely to observe normal to above-normal annual rainfall amounts.
It predicted most parts of the country could experience a shorter length of season, while, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa-Ibom are likely to experience a longer length of season when compared with their mean.
Speaking at the launch of the document on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, said the launch of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction signifies an important contribution of President Tinubu’s led administration towards a more resilient and sustainable future.
The minister while highlighting the crucial effects of weather and climate on various sectors, of the economy, noted that
meteorological information supports food security, reduce risks, improve livelihoods, and building resilience against weather-related challenges.
The SCP also contains essential information such as the predicted start and end dates of the growing season, expected annual rainfall, temperature forecasts, malaria and meningitis vigilance and forecasts for dry spells and little dry seasons. It also outlines the socio-economic implications of the predictions.
Keyamo therefore Keyamo urged the NiMet management to look into interagency collaboration with government agencies, private sector as a way of collectively building a climate-resilient nation.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole earlier in his remarks explained that SCP serves as an early warning tool, providing crucial insights into the seasonal prediction of rainfall, temperature and other variables.
He also said the importance of SCP cannot be over emphasised in the face of changing climatic patterns and extreme weather events.
The Director General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, commended the support of the ministry, management and staff of NiMet for ensuring the successful production of the SCP to fulfil its mandate of providing accurate, timely and quality weather and climate information.
