Analysis of Trend in the Climatic Variables and Precipitation Effectiveness Indices in Bade Local Government Area, Yobe State, Nigeria

Climate change is expected to intensify existing problems such as drought, desertification, low precipitation, windstorm, global warming, and excessive heat, particularly in Bade Local Government Area. The increasing intensity of extreme weather events as a result of climate change in the study area is alarming.  This study investigates “trend in the climate variables and precipitation, effectiveness indices in Bade LGA of Yobe State, Nigeria. The objective of the study is to examine the characteristics of climatic variables, and the precipitation indices in the study area. Four climatic variables such as Maximum and Minimum temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and rainfall for the period of forty (40) years from 1979-2018 was obtained in Bade from North East Arid Zone Development Programme (NEAZDP) Meteorological Station located at  Garin Alkali. These were used in calculating the mean temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, annual rainfall totals, and the onset, cessation, length of raining season (LRS) and seasonality index (SI) using trend analysis to determine the seasonal changes in the climatic variables in Microsoft excel package. The result of the trend in climatic variables indicate increase in rainfall leading to flooding; increase in average temperature, decrease in relative humidity, and increased wind speed. Additionally, the result indicated late onset of rain fall, early cessation of rain fall, general decline in the raining days, and dry days. Adaptation strategies on how to respond to climate variability, and urgent positive action and policies by stake holders, government and private sectors is needed to ensure sustainable and safe environment from the vulnerability of climate change formed the recommendations.