Document Type : Original Article

Author

• Aleeyu Ismaeel

Usmanu Dafodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Dry and wet spells are frequent extreme weather events that have a major global impact on ecosystems, water resources, and agriculture. This study examine the frequency and trend of maximum consecutive dry and wet spells in Northwestern Nigeria using long-term daily rainfall data from 1980 to 2021. The temporal trend of dry and wet spells were analysed using the Mann-Kendall Test Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) were deployed for severity, intensity, and duration of drought. Pearson’s correlation was used for the relationship between dry spell, wet spell, SPI and SPEI. Both dry and wet spells exhibited positive and negative trends. The analysis reveals a significant trend in dry and wet spell patterns, indicating increasing dryness in some areas and wetness specifically Kano, Sokoto and Kebbi. Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) and dry spells are significantly correlated. The findings of this study can inform decision-making for water resource planning, agriculture, and disaster risk reduction related to flood and drought disasters

Keywords

• Key Words: Dry spell
• wet spell
• Trend analysis
• climate variability
• Disaster reduction

Main Subjects

• Drought