Analysis of rainfall variation over northern parts of Nigeria

Analysis of rainfall variation over northern parts of Nigeria

Mustapha Baba-Aji Mamman Ahmad A. Bello  Ahmad A. Usman 

Nigerian Meteorological Agency, National Weather Forecasting and Climate Research Center, Abuja 900421, Nigeria

Corresponding Author Email: 
massa165@gmail.com
Page: 
74-78
|
DOI: 
10.18280/eesrj.050304
Received: 
4 July 2018
| |
Accepted: 
29 August 2018
| | Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

This study investigates rainfall variation in some parts of northern Nigeria. This was done by assessing the variations in rainfall characteristics in the study area; to identify areas/stations with highest/lowest mean annual rainfall amount and finally predict the values for the periods 2012 to 2030. Monthly rainfall amount data of fourteen synoptic stations in some parts of Northern Nigeria used in this study for the period of forty-two years (1971-2012) was obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Statistical measures (mean, median, maximum, minimum, standard deviation, variance, skewness, kurtosis and coefficient of variation), time series and forecast the year 2030. The analysis of rainfall variations from the study area shows that Jos recorded the highest mean annual rainfall amount of 1263.2mm and Nguru recorded the lowest amount of 470.2mm over the years, which also has the minimum rainfall variability with 12% coefficient of variation. The year 2001 recorded the highest mean annual rainfall total of 14991.3mm, while 1983 recorded the lowest amount (645.7mm). Kano has the highest coefficient of variation value of 38% during the study period. Thus, rainfall has been on the increase within the study periods.

Keywords: 

rainfall, Northern Nigeria, skewness, kurtosis, coefficient of variation

1. Introduction
2. Study Area
3. Materials and Methods
4. Results and Discussion
5. Conclusions
  References

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