NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY
33 POPE JOHN PAUL II STREET, MAITAMA DISTRICT,
P.M.B. 615, GARKI, ABUJA, NIGERIA
Agrometeorological Bulletin No.13, Dekad 1, May (1 – 10) 2012
SUMMARY
Significant rains and thunderstorms were recorded with most stations receiving rainfall amounts lower than the
long term mean during the 1st dekad of May 2012. Pronounced negative rainfall anomalies were noted along the
western flank of the country. Few areas were neutral particularly the northeast while elsewhere had positive
rainfall anomalies. Greater parts of the Niger Delta and stations at Umuahia, Jos and environs received over
100mm of rainfall with good distributions except Port-Harcourt with 2raindays , southeast and parts of Jos,
rainfall amounts around 100mm were recorded. Ogoja recorded the highest rainfall of 143.7mm in 4 raindays.
The situation resulted to the northern areas to having soil moisture deficits while the south had surplus moisture
with parts of southwest left with deficits. The extreme northern parts of the country had warmer than normal
temperatures with maximum temperatures of between 38 and 42 degree Centigrade while areas in and around Jos
experienced colder than normal temperatures. Farming activities continued to include harvesting of maize,
cassava, vegetables, etc in the south; planting of staple food crops in the central and some parts of the southern
north and land preparation in the extreme north.
1.0 RAINFALL TREND
amounts around 100mm were recorded. Ogoja recorded
1.1 Rainfall Anomaly
the highest rainfall of 143.7mm, Umuahia was 124.4mm,
Jos 119.8mm, Port-Harcourt 107.2mm and Warri
103.6mm. The rainfall distribution, especially in the south
and some parts of the north and middle belt were good for
crop growth and development. Farmers in the middle belt
and some parts of the north should therefore continue
with land preparations and planting.
Normal defined by tolerance
14
KAT
SOK
GUS
12
MAI
POT
ZAR
KAD
YEL
10
LAT. (N)
NGU
KAN
BAU
BID
MIN
ABU
OSG
IBA
Ado
AKU
ABE
OND
IJE
IKE
OSD
BEN
6
JOS
YOL
LAF
IBI
MAK
ILO
SHK
ISE
8
GOM
LOK
OGJ
OBU
IKO
OWE
UMU
UYO
CAL
PHC
EKT
ENU
ASA
AWK
WAR
2
SURPLUS
4
6
-140
DEFICIT
NORMAL
8
-100
-60
-20
20
60
140
LEGEND
2
100
of ± 20% departure
4
10
12
14
LONG. (E)
FIG. 1: 1st DEKAD OF MAY 2012 RAINFALL ANOMALIES (%)
OVER THE COUNTRY. ANOMALIES ARE COMPUTED WITH
RESPECT TO THE 1971 - 2000 BASE PERIOD DECADAL MEANS.
1.2 Rainfall Amounts
14
WITH
ACTUAL
Figs 3A and B show the comparison of the actual rainfall
amount with normal rainfall values during the dekad in
most stations across the north and south respectively. It
can be seen from both figures that both the north and
south had most stations with rainfall amounts lower than
the long term averages.
140
120
100
RAINFALL VALUES(mm)
Negative rainfall anomalies (red areas) were recorded in
parts of the Niger Delta, southeast, southwest, Sokoto,
Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Minna and Ilorin as shown in
fig.1 above. However larger part of Norrtheast was
neutral while other parts of the country had positive
rainfall anomalies (green areas).
1.3 COMPARISON OF NORMAL
RAINFALL FOR THE DEKAD
80
60
40
ACTUAL
20
KAT
SOK
NORMAL
NGU
2
4
6
0
10
ZARIA
NGURU
POTISKUM
KANO
KADUNA
YELWA
GUSAU
KATSINA
YOLA
SOKOTO
GOMBE
MAIDUG
LAFIA
BAUCHI
MINNA
ABUJA
BIDA
IBI
100
RAINFALL AMOUNT (mm)
8
10
12
14
LONG. (E)
FIG. 2: ACTUAL RAINFALL AMOUNT FOR DEKAD 1, MAY 2012
Fig 2 shows the actual amounts of rainfall measured.
Over the Niger Delta, southeast and parts of Jos, rainfall
RAINFALL (MM)
2
120
30
LEGEND
140
OWE
UMU
UYO
CAL
PHC
EKT
50
4
160
OGJ
OBU
IKO
ENU
ASA
AWK
140
WAR
LOK
70
6
FIG. 3A: COMPARISON OF NORMAL WITH OBSERVED RAINFALLOF DEKAD 1, MAY 2012:
FOR NORTHERN AND CENTRAL STATES OF NIGERIA
GOM
YOL
100
SHK
ISE OSG
IBA
Ado
AKU
ABE
OND
IJE
IKE
OSD
BEN
8
BAU
JOS
LAF
IBI
MAK
ILO
120
LAT. (N)
BID
MIN
ABU
LOKOJA
ZAR
KAD
YEL
10
JOS
MAI
POT
ILORIN
KAN
MAKURDI
0
GUS
12
80
60
40
ACTUAL
20
NORMAL
0
FIG. 3B: COMPARISON OF NORMAL WITH OBSERVED RAINFALL OF DEKAD 1, OF MAY 2012 :
SOUTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA
1.4 Number of Rain Days
14
KAT
SOK
GUS
12
NGU
KAN
MAI
POT
BAU
BID
MIN
ABU
OSG
IBA
Ado
AKU
ABE
OND
IJE
IKE
OSD
BEN
GOM
JOS
6
YOL
OGJ
OBU
IKO
OWE
UMU
UYO
CAL
PHC
EKT
ENU
ASA
AWK
Normal defined by the tolerance
of ± 1.0 Deg. Celsius departure
WAR
6
LEGEND
LEGEND
OGJ
OBU
IKO
OWE
UMU
UYO
CAL
PHC
EKT
ENU
ASA
AWK
4
2
4
8
6
8
10
12
14
LONG. (E)
FIG. 6: 1st DEKAD OF MAY 2012 MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
ANOMALIES (Deg. C) OVER THE COUNTRY. ANOMALIES ARE COMPUTED
WITH RESPECT TO THE 1971 - 2000 BASE PERIOD DECADAL MEANS
NUMBER OF RAIN DAYS
6
4
NORMAL COLDER
WARMER
2
2
2
2.5
4
0
WAR
LOK
4
6
LAF
IBI
MAK
2
SHK ILO
ISE OSG
IBA
Ado
AKU
ABE
OND
IJE
IKE
OSD
BEN
8
YOL
LOK
-2
10
8
JOS
LAF
IBI
MAK
ILO
-1.5
ZAR
KAD
YEL
BID
MIN
ABU
SHK
ISE
GOM
-1
MAI
POT
1.5
NGU
KAN
LAT. (N)
GUS
BAU
2
KAT
SOK
12
10
1
14
LAT. (N)
ZAR
KAD
YEL
10
12
14
LONG. (E)
FIG. 4: ACTUAL NUMBER OF RAIN DAYS FOR DEKAD 1, MAY 2012
Fig 4 above shows the distribution of number of rain
days across the country. Here it can be seen that the
Niger Delta, the southeast and parts of Jos had 5 and
above days of rainfall. The central half of the country
had 3-5 days of rainfall while the extreme part
recorded zero to less than 3 raindays.
3.2 Maximum Temperature Values
Fig 7 below depicts the mean maximum temperature
distribution. It shows that the extreme northern parts of
the country had temperatures above 40oC (Sokoto,
Katsina, Nguru, Kano, Potiskum and Maiduguri). Areas
in and around Jos, Shaki, Iseyin, AdoEkiti and Eket had
temperature below 32 deg. C (blue area).
This high temperature impacted negatively to both human
and livestock well being.
2.0 SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION
14
KAT
SOK
2
4
6
-140
-100
NEUTRAL DEFICIT
8
10
12
LOK
YOL
OGJ
OBU
IKO
OWE
UMU
UYO
CAL
PHC
EKT
28
ENU
ASA
AWK
30
LEGEND
GOM
JOS
32
LAT. (N)
4
By definition, the area between
± 20% is under Neutral / Normal
soil moisture condition
-60
LEGEND SURPLUS
2
WAR
-20
180
4
6
OGJ
OBU
IKO
OWE
UMU
UYO
CAL
PHC
EKT
ENU
ASA
AWK
20
WAR
LOK
MAI
LAF
IBI
MAK
ILO
OSG
IBA
Ado
AKU
ABE
OND
IJE
IKE
OSD
BEN
YOL
100
6
SHK
ISE
8
JOS
LAF
IBI
MAK
140
8
GOM
BAU
BID
MIN
ABU
34
BID
MIN
ABU
SHK ILO
ISE OSG
IBA
Ado
AKU
ABE
OND
IJE
IKE
OSD
BEN
BAU
60
10
10
MAI
POT
36
KAN
ZAR
KAD
YEL
ZAR
KAD
YEL
38
GUS
12
NGU
KAN
POT
NGU
42
KAT
SOK
LAT. (N)
GUS
12
40
14
MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE (Deg. C)
2
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
LONG. (E)
FIG. 7: MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR DEKAD 1, MAY 2012
14
LONG. (E)
FIG. 5: 1st DEKAD OF MAY 2012 SOIL MOISTURE INDICES (%)
OVER THE COUNTRY.
The decadal distribution of soil moisture is shown in fig.
5. It can be seen that the south, some parts of the middle
belt and areas in and around Bida and Jos had surplus soil
moisture status. This was due to the increased rainfall
activity in the areas. The southwest and most parts of the
north had deficit soil moisture especially the north eastern
and north-western flanks. This was mainly dry due to the
shortfall of rainfall.
3.0 MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE TREND
3.1 Maximum Temperature Anomaly
The mean maximum temperature anomaly is shown in fig
6. It reveals that the extreme northern parts of the country
had warmer than normal temperatures while areas in and
around Jos experienced colder than normal temperatures.
The white areas comprising most parts of the country
were normal.
4.0 WEATHER/AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FOR
DEKAD 2 (11 TO 20), OF MAY 2012
4.1 Weather Outlook
The ITD position is expected to move above the country
while the extreme North is expected to experience sunny
weather condition. The Central part of the country is
expected to experience cloudy weather condition coupled
with localised rain / thunderstorm activities.
The Inland parts of the country is expected to be cloudy
with localised rain and thunderstorms activities as well
while the coastal part is expected to be cloudy as well
with localised rain / thundery activities during the period.
The expected mean maximum temperature for the
extreme Northern part of the country ranges between 3338 deg C while the mean minimum temperature ranges
between 22 - 25 deg C.
The expected mean maximum temperature for Central
part of the country ranges between 30-34 deg C while the
mean minimum temperature ranges between 22 - 24 deg
C.
NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NIMET)
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN NO. 13, DEKAD 1, MAY (1-10) 2012
Page 2
For Inland and coastal areas of the country, maximum
temperature ranges between 29-33 deg C., while mean
minimum temperature ranges between 22 -24 deg C
during the period.
4.2 Agricultural
Activity/Outlook
During the period under review, planting of staple food
crops such as maize, yams, cassava and leafy vegetables
continued in the south. Crops in field are doing well.
Harvest of early maize in some coastal cities of the south
continued. The harvest of cassava and leafy vegetables
was also in progress. The soil moisture condition aided
easy root tuber harvest. Farmers in the middle belt and
some parts of the north are advised to continue with land
preparations and planting of staple food crops as the rainy
season progresses northward.
TABLE OF AGROMETEOROLOGICAL DATA FOR THE DEKAD
STATION
RAINFALL
RAINDAY
PET
TMAX
TMIN
DD
21.4
2
50.1
34.1
22.4
202.4
20.5
ABEOK
65.2
4
47.4
34.4
24.5
214.7
19
NGURU
0
0
63.4
42.0
26.2
261
23.6
ABUJA
40.9
4
46.3
33.0
22.7
198.3
19.1
OGOJA
143.7
4
46.1
32.7
22.8
197.9
19.1
AKURE
60.7
4
45.4
31.9
21.9
188.8
19.1
ONDO
26.3
4
44
32.2
23.0
196.1
18.2
ASABA
30.5
3
46.4
33.4
23.5
204.4
18.9
OSHODI
56.1
3
42.8
33.4
25.2
212.8
17.3
AWKA
63.1
3
45.6
33.0
23.3
201.5
18.7
OSOGBO
30.5
3
45
32.4
22.7
195.3
18.7
BAUCHI
16.2
2
56.2
38.1
24.8
234.5
21.8
OWERRI
66.9
4
44.4
32.3
23.1
197.4
18.3
BENIN
68
2
42.6
32.4
23.9
201.2
17.5
PHC
107.2
2
46.5
33.1
23.2
201.3
19.1
BIDA
88
3
41.4
33.0
24.5
207.4
16.8
POT
0
0
60.4
40.8
26.3
255.7
22.6
CALABAR
71.6
7
44
32.5
23.6
200.3
18.1
SHAKI
31.9
3
45.1
31.9
22.0
189.7
18.9
EKET
42.1
5
36.8
30.8
24.4
196.1
15.3
SOKOTO
2.2
1
56.6
40.7
28.2
264.8
20.9
ENUGU
29.2
3
41.2
32.4
22.5
194.4
18.9
UMUAHIA
124.4
6
43.3
31.9
23.1
194.8
18
GOMBE
21
2
51.3
36.1
24.7
224.3
20.2
UYO
73.4
4
42.9
32.2
23.8
199.9
17.7
GUSAU
37
2
54.4
38.4
26.0
241.8
20.9
WARRI
103.6
8
45.8
33.4
23.9
206.3
18.6
IBADAN
20.1
3
46.5
33.0
22.8
198.9
19.2
YELWA
0
0
52.9
38.1
26.5
242.6
20.3
IJEBU
17
2
46
33.3
23.6
204.4
18.8
YOLA
50.3
4
53.7
37.9
26.2
240.5
20.6
IKEJA
17.6
3
43
32.8
24.4
205.8
17.5
ZARIA
43
4
50.9
34.4
22.2
203.1
20.8
IKOM
44.3
4
46.9
32.1
21.5
188.2
19.7
OBUDU
12.7
2
44.3
32.3
23.1
197
18.3
ILORIN
4.2
2
44.6
32.7
23.4
200.4
18.3
3
48
32.9
21.8
193.5
20
25.7
1
43.9
31.7
22.4
190.4
18.4
IBI
ADOEKITI
86.7
ISEYIN
19.9
3
44
31.4
21.8
185.8
18.6
119.8
7
42.9
27.9
17.3
145.9
19.5
USI-EKITI
64
4
KADUNA
20.7
2
49.6
33.9
22.3
201.3
20.4
CALARMAR
KANO
14.5
2
60.3
40.1
25.2
246.3
23
JOS
KATSINA
RAD
7
1
57.7
40.5
27.3
258.7
21.5
68.1
3
43.9
33.2
24.5
208.5
17.9
LOKOJA
72
4
39.9
32.7
25.0
208.5
16.2
MAIDUG
2.3
1
60.8
42.0
28.1
270.6
22.3
29.5
2
46.5
32.3
21.8
190.5
19.4
LAFIA
MAKURDI
MINNA
Dear All,
Comments and suggestions on how to improve this publication are welcome. Agrometeorologists, Agriculturists, Extension
Workers, Research Officers, Users and the General Public should kindly send feedback to:
The Director-General/CEO,
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET),
33 Pope John Paul II Street, Maitama District,
PMB 615 Garki, Abuja.
E-mail: nimetagrometbulletin@yahoo.com; NIMET WEB SITE: www.nimetng.org
NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NIMET)
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN NO. 13, DEKAD 1, MAY (1-10) 2012
Page 3