The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has released its Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) for 2024, indicating a delayed start to the rainy season in several parts of the country, particularly in the North Central states.
Conversely, the states of Borno, Abia, and Akwa Ibom are expected to witness an early onset of rainfall, deviating from their long-term averages. This forecast was presented by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
The SCP also highlights an early conclusion to the rainy season in parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun, and Lagos states. However, the rest of the country is anticipated to receive normal to above-normal annual rainfall amounts.
The length of the rainy season is expected to be shorter than usual for most parts of Nigeria, with the exception of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states, which are likely to experience a longer rainy season compared to their average durations. Additionally, a normal to shorter season is predicted for other regions of the country.
Keyamo added, “A late cessation of rainfall is predicted over the southern states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti, and parts of Edo, Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
