TITLE:
An Analysis of the Cycles and Periodicities of Annual Rainfall over Awka Region, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Emma E. Ezenwaji, Philip O. Phil-Eze, Ifeanyi C. Enete, Bernard O. Osuiwu
KEYWORDS:
Component, Formatting, Style, Styling
JOURNAL NAME:
Atmospheric and Climate Sciences,
Vol.4 No.4,
October
15,
2014
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to analyse the cycles and
periodicities of annual rainfall over Awka region, Nigeria. This is
necessitated by the fact that, despite the fact that wet years contribute
greatly to annual flooding and gully erosion observed in the area, researches
on cycles and periodicities of rainfall in the area are obviously lacking. This
research is, therefore, an attempt to close this gap in knowledge. 35 years
rainfall data (1975-2010) were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological
Agency (NIMET) Lagos from which harmonic calculation was made using Harmonic
Analytical Technique. The model produced 13 harmonics (cycles) of which those of
1, 6 and 11 with amplitudes of 181.66 mm, 149.42 mm and 126.63 mm and
periodicities of 35, 5.20 and 2.84 were isolated as most important. All
calculations were performed using MINITAB version 16 statistical programme
running under PC/Windows 98. Following from the findings, it was suggested that
Urban and Regional Planners, Geomophologists and Engineers could use the result
to develop a flood and erosion management plan for the area.