NiMet predicts 2023 early rain in 13 states

By Albert Akota 

The Minister of Aviation, Dr Hadi Sirika has revealed that the 2023 beginning of rainfall (onset) is predicted to be earlier than normal in most parts of the country .  

According to him, the prediction shows that the earliest onset will likely occur on or around the 2nd of March 2023 in the coastal zone of the south-south states of Bayelsa, Rivers , Akwa Ibom and environs. 

Sirika noted this in Abuja at the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) organized by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), stating some parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe in the North, Imo and Rivers in the south are likely to experience a delayed onset when compared to the long term averages in the areas . 

He said the onset dates in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara , Oyo, Ogun and Lagos are likely to be near normal.

He said normal to above normal annual rainfall amounts are expected over most parts of the country excepts in parts of Yobe.

He said an early End of Season (EoS) is predicted 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. 

“However, an extended rainfall season is predicted 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 likely 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 420 mm in the far northernmost parts to 3253 mm in the coastal areas. However

Also, according to the minister, dry spell occurrences have characterised our seasons in recent years. “In 2023, we should also prepare for its 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”.

Also, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet and Permanent representative of Nigeria with World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu said with the NiMet new Act of 2022, they are optimistic of effective collaborations going forward.