Diurnal and annual mean weather cycles over Nsukka, Nigeria during 2010/2011

Abstract

This study analyzed the mean diurnal and annual cycles of weather elements over Nsukka using the data for 2010 and 2011. It is found that diurnally the peak/trough values occur as follows: temperature (15/06 hrs), relative humidity (06/15 hrs), atmospheric pressure (10/17 hrs), and wind speed (16/19 hrs). The occurrence of the maximum in temperature prior that of wind speed suggests that the dominant winds over Nsukka may be thermally driven. The mean annual peaks/troughs are viz; temperature (March/August), wind speed (December/October), relative humidity (August/January), rainfall (September/December and January) and atmospheric pressure (July/April). A roughly curvilinear fit is found between the annual rainfall and relative humidity: while rainfall appears insensitive to humidity changes during the drier months, its response tends to be linear during the rainy season.

Mean Annual Weather Cycles of some Weather Variables over Warri, Delta State, Nigeria during 2009 to 2018

“…Nevertheless, the cyclic behaviours from the weather data used to some extent are in conformity with the work of Onyenucheya and Nnamchi [18], where they carried out the diurnal and annual weather cycles over Nssuka area in Nigeria. We would not be far from the truth to assert that the occurrence of the maximum in temperature preceding that of wind speed is an indication that URL: http://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cjpl the prevalent winds over Warri could be thermally obsessed.…”

“…In this context, cycles entail patterns and order in the average state. Since the departures from the average are not taken into account [18,19].  Rock cycle as to do with the transformation of rock from one rock type to another.…”

“…Consequently, if the mean values of meteorological variables show a weekly cycle, these variations might be linked to human influence and are considered as anthropogenic signals [20]. An increasing number of studies have been devoted to the cycles of meteorological variables over large areas [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Most of these studies focus on the examination of average URL: http://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cjpl values of meteorological variables in order to show weekly cycles or weekly effects.…”

“…This underscores the need to search weather records for the occurrence of cycles. Within the meteorological community the debate continues as to whether patterns exist and if they do, whether they are sufficiently well established to provide the physical basis for weather prognostications [18,19]. There is no doubt that the utilization of inadequate meteorological information for environmental planning and inaccurate analysis of the state of the atmosphere have resulted in widespread weather-induced environmental hazards that have affected agriculture and other aspects of human endeavours and most of these effects are cause by the dynamic nature of weather.…”

“…This study become desirable because records within are disposal show that are limited research studies on weather cycles within the study area (Warri, Delta State, Nigeria). Although, Onyenucheya and Nnamchi [18], analysed the mean diurnal and annual cycles of some weather variables over Nsukka, Enugu State using the weather data for only two years (2010 and 2011). This study examines the annual cyclic behaviour of some weather variables ( [27].…”