2024 SCP: NiMet predicts delayed onset rain in North Central, early rainfall in Borno, Abia, Akwa Ibom

2024 SCP: NiMet predicts delayed onset rain in North Central, early rainfall in Borno, Abia, Akwa Ibom

Joel Oladele, Abuja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has predicted delayed onset of rain in some parts of the country, especially the North Central states, while an early onset is likely to occur over the northern states. 

This was disclosed  on Tuesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, at the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in Abuja.

Highlighting the CSP for the year at the public presentation of the document, Keyamo noted that 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, while a late cessation is predicted over the southern states like Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti, 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. However, other parts of the country are likely to observe normal to above-normal annual rainfall amounts.

“Most parts of the country are expected to experience a shorter length of season, however, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa-Ibom are likely to experience a longer length of season when compared with their mean. Normal to shorter length of season will likely occur in other parts of the country”, he said.

While speaking on the importance of the launch of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction, he noted that it signifies an important contribution to Nigeria’s journey towards a more resilient and sustainable future. 

According to him, “As the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, I fully understand the impacts of weather on the aviation industry. Flight safety and efficient air transport operations are hugely dependent on accurate weather forecasts, advisories, and early warnings. Through continuous investments in meteorological weather stations, satellite data, and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), NiMet has continued to enhance aviation-specific weather services. 

“The aviation industry looks forward to continued collaboration with NiMet and the meteorological community, to utilize weather information for planning flight operations, aircraft routing, and scheduling among other applications. 

“The insights provided by NiMet should inspire collaboration among government agencies, private sectors, non-governmental organizations, and communities to collectively build a climate-resilient nation. Let us not only see the details of the Seasonal Climate Predictions as scientific projections but as a call to action”, he stated.

Speaking earlier at the event, the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Celeste Saulo appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to pursue the development of a National Framework for Weather, Water, and Climate Services, with a vibrant User Interface Platform for effective engagement and contribution of stakeholders to the production and utilization of Early Warning in the country.

Saulo through his representative stated that the fight against climate change calls for effective public and private stakeholder cooperation and action, adding that the Seasonal Climate Prediction produced by NiMet is a contribution to Early Warning which should be embraced and utilized by all stakeholders in planning and implementation of activities in support of disaster risk management and sustainable development in Nigeria. 

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria remains an important partner of WMO and I wish to take this opportunity to renew our deep gratitude for the continued support to the operations of the WMO Representative Office for North, Central and West Africa, and Capacity Development efforts in several Countries in West Africa and beyond”.

On his part, the NiMet Director General/ Chief Executive Officer,  Prof. Charles Anosike,explained that accurate weather prediction plays a vital role in the nation’s collective well-being.

He further noted that NiMet has been consistent in its demonstration of unwavering commitment to excellence by ensuring that it delivers the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) early in the year to help Nigerians plan ahead.

The NiMet SCP document also contains detailed predictions for temperature in the first five months of the year, predictions for the dry spell and little dry season, as well as predictions for Malaria and Meningitis. These predictions are accompanied by explicit details, especially focusing on the socio-economic implications associated with each projection.