Long dry weather not end of rainy season in Lagos—Climatologist

Oladipo

An Climatologist,Professor Olukayode Oladipo says, the present weather condition over Lagos, characterized by long dryness, cloudiness and cold, would not mark the end of the rainy season, but just slight variation of weather pattern, which may give way for the second stage of rainfall.

Speaking with correspondent Innocent Onoh in Lagos, Oladipo attributed the seizure of the rains to the usual August break which is longer this year and calls for no worry.

According to Professor Oladipo, “the Month of July to August under normal conditions is what we call the little dry season or August Break in which the Southern part of Nigeria will have limited rainfall, cloudy conditions most of the time, while the northern part will be having lots of rain.

“It is normal pattern.

“What is happening is that sometime the intensity of the break will vary from year to year.

“This year, the intensity is very high and it means that the dryness will persist for a period of time.

“Because it is cloudy, it is not too bright; there will not be too much rain because the system that is pumping the water and providing the rain is weak in Southern part and very strong in Northern part.

“So, the continuous cloudy condition will not allow much energy from the sun to reach the atmosphere which will warm it up. So that is why it is a little cooler.

“At the same time, temperature may be cooler than what it normal at this time too.

Professor Oladipo who is very visible in the climate advocacy, said, Lagos is not alone , as other Southern cities up to Abuja are affected by the long break in rainfall.

He advised the general public to protect themselves against cold which is the common sickness this time.

He added that rainfall would return and that it could be so heavy that it would cause serious flooding. 

 “But it is not only in Lagos; it extends up to Abuja. But beyond Abuja and up extreme north, the rainfall will be much more intensified at this time. It is a normal pattern of the weather condition.

“It is not something strange. The rainfall will return.

“When it returns it may even be very serious and create more problem for us.

“There is nothing to worry about. People should take note of it and dress warmly so that they don’t catch cold”.