The agency however said parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Kano,
Jigawa, Yobe, Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo and Rivers are likely to experience
delayed onset of rainfall.
The Minister of Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika stated these in
Abuja during the launch of the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).
According to the prediction, the earliest onset is likely to
occur on or around the 2nd of March, 2023 in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and
environs.
The agency also stated that strong windstorms across the
country and sandstorms in the extreme northern states can occur before the
onset of rainfall.
Highlighting the prediction, Sirika said: “The annual total
rainfall is predicted to be normal to above normal in most parts of the
country.
“The rainfall onset date is predicted to be earlier than the
long-term average in most parts of the country.
“However, parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe
in the north and Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers in the south are likely
to experience a delayed onset.”
On when the rain will start and its intensity, the Minister
said: “The onset dates will range from 2nd March to 7th July 2023.
“The onset is expected to become established in early March
from the coastal states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom; in April for the
Inland States of the South; in May around the central States and around July in
the northern States.
“Parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, and
FCT are likely to observe below normal to near normal annual rainfall amounts.
“The annual rainfall amount is expected to range from 420 mm
in the far northernmost parts to 3253 mm in the coastal areas.”
On the likelihood of dry spells, the Minister said: “Dry
spell occurrences have characterised our seasons in recent years. In 2023, we
should also prepare for its occurrence between June and early July as dry spell
lasting between 15 to 21 days is in the forecast, especially from the central
parts of the country to the North.
“When compared to the last years, the little dry season
(August Break) for 2023 is expected to be less intense. It is expected to last
between 14 and 20 days starting from late July, especially over the Southwest
of the country.”
On when the rains will stop, he said: “An early End of
Season (EoS) is predicted over parts Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Bayelsa,
Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Lagos, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi.
“However, an extended rainfall season is predicted over
parts of Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, western Ogun, and Lagos.
“The end of season period is expected to range from the 26th
of September till 25th of December”.