**NiMet 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction Causes Disruptions in Abuja Aviation**
Revealed during a public presentation in Abuja by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (PCS) documents by NiMet have caused confusion in the aviation sector.
According to these documents, NiMet announced that the normal start of the rainy season is likely to occur in the Northern States, while earlier starts are forecast for Borno and Abia compared to their long-term averages.
The agency also predicted an early end to the season for some areas including Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun and Lagos. However, late cessation is expected for Southern states, such as Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti, as well as parts of Edo, Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, FCT, Niger and Kaduna.
NiMet highlighted that below normal annual rainfall is forecast for some areas, such as Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kebbi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa, compared to their long-term average. However, the agency anticipated that other areas of the country could see normal to above-normal annual precipitation amounts.
NiMet also predicted that much of the country could experience a shorter season length, while Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom could experience a longer season compared to their average.
These 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction documents also contain detailed temperature forecasts for the first five months of the year.
This presentation raised many questions in the aviation sector in Abuja, as stakeholders sought to understand how these climate predictions could impact their activities. As a result, adjustments may be necessary to accommodate this potential change in the country’s climate patterns.
In any case, it is clear that these forecasts shed new light on how the climate could evolve in 2024 and encourage reflection on preparation and adaptation to these environmental changes.