Characteristics of Annual Rainfall Over Guinea Savanna Zone, Nigeria

Abstract

This research was aimed at studying the characteristics of annual rainfall over Guinea Savanna Zone, Nigeria. The data used were monthly rainfall (mm) obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Oshodi, Lagos, 1981 – 2015 (35 years) for Makurdi, Lokoja, Ilorin, Jos, Lafia, Minna and Kaduna; Abuja, 1983 – 2015 (33 years) and Ibi, 1981 – 2013 (33 years). Long term rainfall mean, multiple mean comparism, simple linear regression, regression coefficient, maximum, minimum, standard deviation (SD), skewness, kurtosis and cumulative of variation (CV) were used for analysis. Results were presented in table and figures. The conclusion revealed moderate inter-annual rainfall variation, alternate upward and downward trends as well as general upward trend in recent years. It was also discovered that inter-rainfall characteristics vary across the data collection points even though they are within the same climatic zone. Recommendations focused on the need for similar studies to be carried out to cover other characteristics of rainfall over the study area and in other ecological regions of Nigeria. Short-term weather forecast was also advocated.