NATIONAL WEATHER FORECASTING AND CLIMATERESEARCH CENTRE,
BILL CLINTON DRIVE, NNAMDI AZIKIWE INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT, P.M.B. 615, GARKI, ABUJA, NIGERIA
Agrometeorological Bulletin No.16, Dekad1, June(01 –10) 2016
ISSN: 2315-9790
Summary
The first dekad of June is presented in this edition of the dekadal agrometeorological bulletin. Rainfall intensity across the country was observed to have increased across the South and Central States with heavyrainfall especially over Eket, Lagos marine, Umuahia, I-ode and Awka in one rain-day(204.3mm,107.6mm, 112.5mm, 87.4mm, 70.8mm and 62.8mm respectively). Negative rainfall anomaly for most parts of the country were, however, observed overEket, Port harcourt, Ilorin, Bauchi, Yelwa, Umuahia. Most parts of the inland of the South west had above normal conditions. The distribution of soil moisture index across the country reveals a deficit moisture condition across the North and the Central states,while Yelwa, Bida, Minna and their environs experienced surplus conditions. The South east and its coast as well as most parts of the South west where in surplus to normal conditions during the period under review.The Inter tropical discontinuity (ITD) is expected to continue its northward incursion to attain a mean position of about 15.50N-17.50N. Field crops in the Central and Southern states are in good condition, harvesting of maize, tubers and vegetables continues in the country. Planting and weeding are expected to intensify in the Central states, while preparation for the new season is expected to continue in the far North.
NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NiMet)
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN NO.16, DEKAD1June (01-10) 2016 Page 1
1.0Rainfall Pattern
This section captures the observed rainfall amount, rain-day, soil available moisture and their departures from the 30-year average during the first dekad ofJune, 2016.
1.1Rainfall Amount
Fig 1: Rainfall Amount (mm)
Figure 1 shows the observed rainfall amount measured over the country for the 1st dekad of June (01-11), 2016.Significant rainfall amount was recorded in Eket, Lagos marine, Umuahia, Ijebu-ode and Awka in one rain-day(204.3mm,107.6mm, 112.5mm, 87.4mm, 70.8mm and 62.8mmrespectively), with these areas constitutingthe major contributors to the total rainfall during the dekad under consideration. Most stations across the country recorded moderate to heavy rainfall except areas in and around the North.
Planting activities continued in some parts of the North and the Central States, with field crops in good condition in most parts of the Central and southern states.
With increasing rainfall across the country, farmers are encouraged to continue intense agricultural activities so as to obtainmaximized agriculturalproductivity during the short growing season.
1.2 Rainfall Departure.
Fig2: Rainfall Departure
Figure 2 shows the rainfall anomaly during the 1st dekad of June, 2016. Generally, most cities in the country had rainfall below their long term mean ( areas in yellow and brown), however, above normal rainfall were experienced in and around Eket, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Bauchi, Yelwa, Umuahia, and most parts of the inland of the South West. Farmers in these areas are advised to continue farming activities as increased rainfall intensity is anticipated in the next dekad.
1.3 Number of Rain Days
Fig.3: Rain- Day
The number of rain days is shown in Fig. 3. During the dekad, 1-8 rain-dayswhere recorded with the highest number of rain-days over the coast of the South east.The South west and its inland recorded between 3-7 rain-days while the northern states had between 1-5 rain-days.
1.4 Soil Moisture Index
Fig 4 Soil Moisture Index (SMI).
The distribution of soil moisture index across the country is shown in figure 4. Most parts of the North and theCentralwere in deficit during the dekad except cities in and around Yelwa, Bida and minna that were in surplus condition. Therefore farmers are advised to plant only drought tolerant crops for the period. The South east, as well as most parts of the South west was in surplus to normal conditions during the period under review.
2.0 Temperature Trend
This section highlights the maximumand minimum temperature trend across the country and theirdeparture from 30-year average during the dekad.
2.1Maximum Temperature Trend
Fig.5 shows mean maximum temperature for the dekad. Observed temperatures ranged between 29.70C and 39.90C. Highest temperature was recorded over Nguru (39.90C). Temperature increased northwards.
Fig.5: Mean Maximum Temperature
2.2 Maximum Temperature Departure
Maximum temperature anomaly across the country is shown in Fig.6.Negative to normal departures were observed over most parts of the country. Similarly, positive temperature anomaly was recorded over Lafia (2.00C) with lowest departure observed over Yelwa (-5.20C).
Fig. 6: Maximum Temperature Anomaly.
2.3. Minimum Temperature
Mean minimum temperature is shown in Fig. 7. The observed mean minimum temperature ranges from 18.20Cand 27.70C. The lowest was observed over Jos (18.20C).
Fig.7: Mean Minimum Temperature
2.4 Minimum Temperature Departure
Fig.8: Mean Minimum Temperature Departure
The minimum temperature departure is presentedinFig.8.Warmer than normal condition prevailed over the northern states and some parts of the Central states. Similarly, some parts of the inland of the West and East also had warmer than normal conditions. Conversely, normal to colder conditions prevailed over Jalingo, Ibi, Shaki, Iseyin, Ado ekiti, Minna, Abuja, Ibadan, Owerri, Port Harcout, Calabar and their environs.
3.0 Vegetation Conditions
Fig.9: Normalized Difference vegetation Index (NDVI)
The Vegetation condition across the country is shown in Figure 9.The Southern part had dense vegetation while the Central and northern part had moderate to slight vegetation. However, the North is in deficit condition.
4.0 Weather/AgriculturalOutlook for2nddekad (11-20), June, 2016.
4.1 Weather Outlook
Further northward incursion of the Inter-Tropical Discontinuity (ITD) during the next dekad, which is likely to attain a mean position of between 16.5 to 17.50N.
South westerly winds are expected to prevail over the entire country which is, in turn, expected to give rise to increased rainfall activities across the country. Similarly, temperatures are anticipated to decrease across the country. This situation is expected to increase soil moisture condition favoring more agricultural activities.
4.2 Agricultural Activity
Harvesting of leafy vegetables and some tuber crops are expected to continue in some parts of the country. Planting of some selected crops are also expected to continue across the country while the far North is expected to commence rain-fed agriculture during the next dekad.Harvesting of irrigated maize is expected to continue across the North and Central states.
NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NiMet)
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN NO.16, DEKAD1June (01-10) 2016 Page 1
Table of Agrometeorological data for the Dekad
NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NiMet)
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN NO.16, DEKAD1June (01-10) 2016 Page 1
STATION / RAINFALL / RAINDAY / PET / TMAX / TMIN / DD / RADIATIONABEOK / 42.5 / 5 / 36.5 / 31.5 / 24.3 / 199.0 / 15.0
ABAKILIKI / 58.8 / 5 / 42.3 / 32.8 / 23.8 / 202.9 / 17.3
ABUJA / 46.3 / 4 / 42.4 / 31.5 / 21.8 / 186.5 / 17.9
BENIN / 13 / 3 / 38.4 / 31.6 / 24.0 / 198.1 / 15.8
CALABAR / 72.5 / 5 / 41.5 / 31.8 / 22.8 / 192.6 / 17.3
IBADAN / 37.3 / 6 / 36.3 / 30.7 / 23.3 / 190.4 / 15.1
ISEYIN / 34.3 / 5 / 36.4 / 29.2 / 21.6 / 173.8 / 15.6
KADUNA / 41 / 5 / 43.4 / 32.1 / 21.8 / 189.4 / 18.2
KANO / 15.2 / 2 / 50.8 / 37.4 / 24.9 / 231.6 / 19.9
KATSINA / 15.3 / 1 / 48.6 / 37.6 / 26.6 / 240.7 / 18.7
LOKOJA / 18.2 / 2 / 42.3 / 33.7 / 24.8 / 212.9 / 17.0
MAKURDI / 26.6 / 4 / 40.4 / 32.2 / 23.7 / 199.1 / 16.7
OWERRI / 88.2 / 5 / 41.0 / 31.9 / 22.9 / 194.0 / 17.0
PHC / 136.6 / 7 / 38.7 / 31.4 / 23.1 / 192.7 / 16.1
SOKOTO / 0 / 0 / 50.9 / 39.0 / 27.3 / 251.1 / 19.3
ZARIA / 18.6 / 2 / 44.4 / 33.0 / 22.5 / 197.2 / 18.4
Note:
Rainfall (mm)
PET= Potential Evapotranspiration (mm/decade)
TMAX = Maximum Temperature (OC)
TMIN = Minimum Temperature (OC)
GDD= Growing Degree Day (day)
RAD = Radiation (MJ/m2/day)
NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NiMet)
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN NO.16, DEKAD1June (01-10) 2016 Page 1
NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NiMet)
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN NO.16, DEKAD1June (01-10) 2016 Page 1