Time Series Analysis of Rainfall and Temperature (1988-2018) In Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria (Published)
Rainfall and temperature data spanning a period of 30 years (1988-2018) for Musawa station were used to determine the trend in annual rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature for the region. Five-year running mean was calculated for annual rainfall and mean temperature for the Musawa station. The decadal means were compared with the long-term mean. Evidence from the station considered shows that there was significant increase in annual rainfall amount and mean temperature in the last decade of the study. It means, therefore, that we are experiencing wetter conditions in the area. Increasing annual rainfall totals portend both good and ill. Good, because there is improvement in water supply to an otherwise marginal area. Ill, because flooding, dam collapse as a result of excessive rainfall and daily rise of temperature on an impervious terrain which could lead to damage to life and property. Generally, the rainfall patterns and trends of the study area (1988-2018) has been characterized with oscillations between wet and dry conditions, and that generally the decades 1980s and 1990s were the driest of all. The wettest is seen in the 2000s. The findings revealed that the region is becoming wetter in terms of the climatic elements (rainfall and temperature). The study recommended that more emphasis on dissemination of information on climate variability and changes through the mass media is highly needed, also there is need for extension agents, policy makers and researchers to try and get farmers to effectively adapt to climate change.
Keywords: analysis; annual rainfall; climate change; temperature and time series