Every year the Nigerian Meteorological agency Presents a seasonal Climate Prediction with a view to aiding climate wise planning and averting the harsh effects of Natural disaster.
At this year’s SCP, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika drew attention to the fact that Climate change and climate variations are affecting economies the world over and called on all sectors to leverage on the information given by NiMet in the Seasonal Climate Prediction to overcome the challenges posed by disastrous climate and weather events.
He gave the following highlights of the 2022 SRP
“The earliest onset of the planting season (beginning of planting activities) is expected about the 28th February, 2022 in the Coastal parts of the country while the onset of rainfall is expected to occur between April and May in the Central states, and eventually within June to July in the Northern states. The onset of the planting season is predicted to be normal over most parts of Nigeria with a few areas having it earlier while some areas having it delayed”.
“Rainfall cessation dates across most parts of the county in 2022 is predicted to be near the long-term average conditions. The window between the Onset and cessation dates can be regarded as safe periods for the planting of various crops in accordance with their cropping calendars. The growing season is predicted to last between 250-300 days in Southern parts of the country, and 100 to 200 days in the North. Noteworthy, are areas around Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Benue, Bayelsa, and Rivers which are likely to experience shorter than normal length of growing season. However, prolonged length of growing season is anticipated in parts of Plateau, Kaduna, Edo, and Imo States”.
“For the annual total rainfall, the prediction indicates that the annual rainfall amount is expected to be normal in most parts of the country. The annual rainfall amount is expected to range from 390 mm in the North to over 2790 mm in the South. Annual rainfall amount ranging from 390 mm to 790 mm is anticipated in some parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina and Sokoto states. The central states such as Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Benue and the FCT, as well as Ekiti, Osun and Oyo are anticipated to record 1190 mm to 1590 mm of total rainfall”.
Earlier in his welcome address,the DG NiMet, Prof Mansur Matazu stressed the fact that the SCP is multi sectoral with co-produced socio-economic implications of the Prediction by NiMet and relevant stakeholders.
He described the SCP as “a veritable tool to Notify relevant stakeholders and emergency managers of the anticipated rainfall pattern within the season for necessary mitigation plans”.
According to the report,above average rainfall is expected in Jigawa, Kano, Ibadan,Logo,Ogun,Sound, Delta,Imo, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom state which could result in flooding.NiMet therefore called on relevant sectors to leverage on their early warning for adequate and prompt planning for the year including relocation of occupants to safe places in case of flooding.
The event was graced by Minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as well as Stakeholders from Agriculture, banking, Aviation, Transport and other sectors. Also Present were academia from Universities.
A User friendly SCP app was unveiled to enable the common man access weather advisories easily.
High point of the event was the unveiling of the 2022 SCP. Also unveiled alongside the SCP are Decadal Agricultural Meteorology Bulletin published every 10 daysCrop-Weather- Calendar (CWC). Drought & Flood Monitoring Bulletin.Climate and Health Bulletin Marine Meteorology BulletinDaily Weather Forecast,
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