Our Work
Climate services unit in the Directorate of Applied Meteorological Services is saddled with the responsibility of disseminating climate information. The climate information are generated by developing Products through the analysis of observed weather data collected from the network of observing station located across the country.
The unit also keeps record of climate related phenomenon and extreme weather events, this is in a view to project the return period of such extreme events.
Climate services unit is also an integral part of the task team in the Agency responsible for the production of the Agency’s flagship; the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), variables such as the followings are contained in the SCP:
- Onset
- Rainfall amount
- Length of season
- Cessation
- Minimum temperature
- Maximum Temperature
- Phenomenon such as Little Dry Season (LDS) and Dry Spell are also contained in the SCP
Other products generated in the unit include the monthly forecast of climatic variables for all stations within the country and tailor made forecasts for various sectors of the economy. The information/forecast generated serves as early warning which assists policy makers, individuals and organizations to make informed decisions.
The Objectives of the unit include:
- Creating partnership amongst policy makers, planners and users to develop and provide climate information and services.
- To reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate related hazards through issuance of advisories and relevant forecast.
- Climate monitoring which includes trend analysis, climate variability analysis, anomaly generation, frequency and return period of extreme events etc.
- Calculation of climate indices to determine climate change or frequency of climate extremes.
- To mainstream the use of climate information in national development policies and strategies.
- Monitor air quality in Nigeria
Climate Services Product
- Climate and health Bulletin:
- Extreme event bulletin
- Climate review and outlook bulletin
- Quarterly weather review
- Disaster Risk Management
- Monthly weather forecast
Early warning
On early warning, the unit issues relevant and timely advisories in a methodical way prior to any disaster which will help relevant sectors and the general public make informed decisions and take appropriate action.
These include:
Heat stress advisories: This is issued when high values of heat index are predicted because such high levels can pose a threat to human life.
Meningitis vigilance: This document is produced monthly. It enables identification of areas with possible risks of meningitis based on climatic indices which aids the health sector in implementing control and preventive measures.
Malaria Vigilance: Also produced monthly, the document maps out areas with possible risks of Malaria incidence across the country. It is founded on climatic indices which will assist the health sector to implement control, implement preventive measures and advise the public appropriately.
Cholera vigilance: As part of early warning, this product maps out areas with various degrees of Cholera risks across the country. It is also produced monthly when conditions are projected to be favourable for its emergence.
Medication Instability Vigilance forecast: This maps out risks areas for possible degradation in the composition of medicines upon exposure to harsh weather conditions. These conditions cause medicines to become ineffective.