By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted delayed onset of rainfall in eight Northern States of Nigeria in 2025.
As for the Southern part of Nigeria, NiMet predicted that Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and sections of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi would witness early onset of rainfall.
NiMet’s prediction was contained in its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) unveiled by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo in Abuja on Tuesday.
In a statement, NiMet said that the States included: Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa and Kwara.
NiMet’s 2025 SCP was themed: “The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,” Key Rainfall Predictions for 2025.
NiMet’s statement said: “Earlier than long-term average end-of-rainy season is predicted over parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo States.
“A delayed end of season is expected over parts of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu States”.
Also in the prediction, the length of rainy season in 2025, is expected to be mostly normal across the country.
As for Borno and parts of Yobe States, NiMet predicted shorter than normal length of rainy season.
NiMet predicted that Lagos and Nasarawa States would have longer than normal length of rainy seasons in 2025.
NiMet said: “A normal to below-normal annual rainfall is anticipated in most parts of Nigeria compared to long-term average.
“Parts of Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos Abia, Akwa Ibom States, and FCT are expected to have above-normal annual rainfall amounts.
“High-intensity rainfall is expected in May to June that may likely result in flash floods in the coastal cities.
“As with previous years, there are pre-onset rainfall activities that should not be confused with the actual onset of rainy season”.
After the establishment of rainfall in Oyo State, particularly around Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomosho, Atisbo, Orelope, Itesiwaju, Olorunsogo, Kajola, Iwajowa and Ori Ire, NiMet predicted a severe dry spell of above 15 days during the April-May-June (AMJ) season.
NiMet said that moderate dry spell capable of lasting up to 15 days is likely to occur in Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States in Nigeria’s South.
NiMet said: “However, for the northern states, a severe dry spell that may last up to 21 days is predicted for the June-July-August (JJA) season of 2025.
“The Little Dry Season (LDS), also known as ‘August Break’ is predicted to begin by late July and would be severe only in parts of Lagos and Ogun states.
“The number of days with either little or no rainfall will range between 27 to 40 days. Moderate LDS effect is expected over parts of Ogun, Oyo, and Ekiti States.”
As for Osun, Oyo, Kwara, and parts of Ondo-North, the Agency further predicted either light or mild Little Dry Season.
Across the country, NiMet envisaged temperatures to be generally above the long-term average.
NiMet said: “Both daytime and night time temperatures are predicted to be warmer than the long-term average over most parts of the country in January, February, March, and May 2025.
“However, April day and night time temperatures are predicted to be generally cooler than normal, while warmer than normal temperatures are likely to be experienced over most of the northern States.’’
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