It gets to a specific period in the year and everywhere suddenly gets wet. During the rainy season, which is what this period is called, the entire place gets so wet the majority of the time that stairs and roads are slippery, cars get damaged, canals, gutters, and dams are overflowing and some buildings get flooded. People are unexpectedly drenched by water that they become ill.
Considering the circumstances mentioned above, the rainy season seems to contradict the evergreen song water e no get enemy by late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Therefore, this piece looks at the rainy season, when it is its period in Nigeria, while rain is important and how people should prepare for the season.
What is the rainy season?
The rainy season is when most of a country or region’s average annual rainfall occurs. Rain is liquid water condensed from the atmosphere, falling visibly in separate droplets. It is a significant component of the water cycle.
The rainy season sees a heavy descent of water from the sky that falls on the earth. During this period, a large quantity of water rapidly falls in a single bust or drop, or it does so in intermittent gaps. As a result of the enormous volume of water, the environment suddenly gets wet and drenches whoever and whatever is left unprotected without a shelter in water. The weather on its own becomes cold and cool.
It occurs in virtually every country globally, but its occurrence is more pronounced in countries classified under tropical, temperate, and continental climates under the Köppen climate classification. Countries located around areas filled with desert receive the least rainfall annually.
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When is the rainy season in Nigeria?
Nigeria, the 32nd largest country in the world, is mainly known for its tropical climate. This means that rain falls annually in the country. According to a study by the University of Northern Iowa, rain falls between 500 and 1,500 millimetres (20 and 60 inches) per year. However, the pattern of rainfall differs across regions in the country.
For example, the southern part of Nigeria, which metrological experts classify as the tropical monsoon climate variant, experiences heavy and abundant rainfall. Rain in this region begins around late February/March, peaks in June, and falls till August when there is a little break. It then resumes in September and falls to early November. So, this is a combination of two high rainfall peaks and a short dry season before the long dry season starts in November up to February/March of the following year.
In the northern part of the country, the annual rainfall totals are low. This can be attributed to its semi-arid climate as a huge chunk of the area is located along the Sahel region of the country. Unlike the southern region, which witnesses two peak periods, rain in the northern region major occurs for three to four months, within June to September. The peak of the rainy season in this region is the month of August.
However, in central Nigeria, which is geopolitically known as the North-Central region, the rainfall pattern aligns with that of southern Nigeria, even though it is closer to northern Nigeria geographically. This area is known for its tropical savanna climate variant, and the rain falls from March to September. However, its difference with the southern region is that its peak period is a single one ranging from July to September.
It is important to state that variations have occurred to this timetable as a result of climate change. Rain fell in August 2021, which is usually the ” heavenly showers break month, albeit sparingly. It has also provided a “welcome to a new year” moment at least twice in January for the last two years.
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