All you need to know about Nigeria's two seasons

Authors:

Adaobi Onyeakagbu

October 9, 2018 4:34 PM

Harmattan and Rainy seasons are the two extreme seasons in Nigeria.

Most of the time, Nigeria is in a limbo when it comes to weather because it only sees two seasons. Heres all you need to know about seasons in Nigeria.

Nigeria, just like most of West Africa, only experiences dry and rainy seasons. However, these two seasons in Nigeria do not last throughout the year. If one is visiting the country, it is imperative that they know what to expect from the weather.

Rainy season

After that limbo that comes after the dry/harmattan season, comes the rainy season. For farmers, it is a sign of good fortune for harvest but otherwise, it can be brutal. The rainy season in Nigeria starts in March and lasts till about September with peak periods in June, depending. On the average, it only lasts for three to four months (June-September) and, depending on what region of the country it is, it can do more harm than good.

In addition to having your weather forecast app as your best friend, there are many other things that need to be done to prepare for the rainy season in Nigeria. Here is how to survive the rainy season in Nigeria.

Harmattan (Dry) season

The dry season is accompanied by a hot, dry and dust laden airmass from the Sahara Desert from the Gulf of Guinea, locally known as Harmattan, or The Tropical Continental (CT) airmass. It usually starts around November or December and lasts a couple of months. Harmattan season is characterised by low humidity, dry skin, chapped lips, eye irritations, respiratory tract infections such as cough and catarrh. It also gets very cold, especially at night and early mornings. The atmosphere gets very foggy during this period and as a result, flights can get grounded. It is most severe in Northern states of Nigeria.

People in Nigeria at this time are advised to wear clothes that cover most of the skin, moisturise skin well and hydrate well. Check out tips on how to stay safe during the harmattan season.