variability and change especially to the most vulnerable sectors of the economy and communities to climate related hazards. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The climate of Nigeria has shown considerable temporal and spatial shifts in its variability and change. Extreme climate and weather events (drought, flood, heatwaves, ocean surges, etc) have become more regular. The impacts of extreme weather and climate may be gradual but they are destructive to lives and property, negatively impact on the economy. Floods have become a perennial challenge with increasing intensity each year, leaving colossal losses and trauma. The low-lying coast of the country experiences perennial inundation due to ocean surges and strong tidal waves. The 2012 Nigerian Climate Review bulletin has added new climate indicators such as ‘rainfall months’ anomaly, extreme meteorological parameters, etc., in addition to standard statistically examined climatic elements (maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall amounts and patterns of onset and cessation of rainfall). This innovation is to provide scientists and experts in the socio-economic sectors more useful information on variability and trends with a view to addressing the many multi-hazard challenges facing the country. The synoptic features indicated dominance of the subtropical high pressure systems at the beginning of the year, leading to the raising of dust particles at the surface in the Sahara Desert and subsequent transportation and reduction of horizontal visibility across the country. The southwesterly winds gained momentum at the coast and progressively moved inland at the end of first quarter of the year. The monsoon trough remained very active across the country till the end of the third quarter, and this brought about enhanced rainfall and thunderstorms, flash flooding and the associated impacts. The seasonal and meridional oscillations of the Inter-Tropical Discontinuity (ITD) attained a peak position of about latitude 18.8oN in August. In addition, the dynamics of the atmosphere showed unusual surging and pulsation of the ITD, such that severe storms were experienced over the coast as early as February in 2012, particularly over Lagos. Further scientific studies are presently being undertaken to understand the causative factors.
variability and change especially to the most vulnerable sectors of the economy and communities to climate related hazards. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The climate of Nigeria has shown considerable temporal and spatial shifts in its variability and change. Extreme climate and weather events (drought, flood, heatwaves, ocean surges, etc) have become more regular. The impacts of extreme weather and climate may be gradual but they are destructive to lives and property, negatively impact on the economy. Floods have become a perennial challenge with increasing intensity each year, leaving colossal losses and trauma. The low-lying coast of the country experiences perennial inundation due to ocean surges and strong tidal waves. The 2012 Nigerian Climate Review bulletin has added new climate indicators such as ‘rainfall months’ anomaly, extreme meteorological parameters, etc., in addition to standard statistically examined climatic elements (maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall amounts and patterns of onset and cessation of rainfall). This innovation is to provide scientists and experts in the socio-economic sectors more useful information on variability and trends with a view to addressing the many multi-hazard challenges facing the country. The synoptic features indicated dominance of the subtropical high pressure systems at the beginning of the year, leading to the raising of dust particles at the surface in the Sahara Desert and subsequent transportation and reduction of horizontal visibility across the country. The southwesterly winds gained momentum at the coast and progressively moved inland at the end of first quarter of the year. The monsoon trough remained very active across the country till the end of the third quarter, and this brought about enhanced rainfall and thunderstorms, flash flooding and the associated impacts. The seasonal and meridional oscillations of the Inter-Tropical Discontinuity (ITD) attained a peak position of about latitude 18.8oN in August. In addition, the dynamics of the atmosphere showed unusual surging and pulsation of the ITD, such that severe storms were experienced over the coast as early as February in 2012, particularly over Lagos. Further scientific studies are presently being undertaken to understand the causative factors.
2012%20NIGERIAN%20CLIMATE%20REVIEW%20EDIT.docx