Rainfalls: NIMET insists rainy season hasn’t set in

Although several parts of the country have continued to experience downpours of rain, Mr Ajeyomi Adewale, Zonal Manager, South West, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMet) has re-echoed the Director-General, Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi’s announcement that such occurrences of rainfall do not signal the commencement of the rainy season and the associated planting season, adding that the dates for the commencement of the rainy season will be announced soon.

The zonal manager said that the rainfall experienced was not uncommon especially when the temperatures were high over a particular period of time. He explained that the high temperatures led to rapid evaporation of moisture from water bodies leading to the eventual downpour of rain.

Speaking specifically about the Southwestern part of Nigeria Adewale said, “Last year, between the 18th and 20th, we had downpour of rain. To those not into weather, this is an unusual thing. And you will notice this year that the temperature is relatively higher compared to previous years. So, that is probably why the frequency of rainfall has been higher. This is not an uncommon situation. It is the usual thing.”

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He said that currently, the usual dry season would subsist until April when he said the rainy would fully commence in the Southern part of the country.

Responding to questions on whether the rainfalls were expected to be heavy, the weatherman said the predictions would be ready later this month.

“We will be having our seasonal rainfall prediction this month. We have a team that is working on the prediction already. The prediction will come up between the 6th and 13th of this month.”

“Like my DG has already told the nation, this is not the commencement of the rainy season so that people do not see the rains and start planting. The actual date will be coming up once we do the rainfall prediction.”