2025 SCP: NiMet predicts delayed onset of rainfall in 8 northern states NiMet The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted that eight northern states will experience a delayed onset of rainfall in 2025. The prediction is contained in NiMet’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), unveiled by Mr. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in Abuja. A statement issued by NiMet listed the affected states as Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara. The SCP, themed “ The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,” also outlined Key Rainfall Predictions for 2025. NiMet predicted an early onset of rainfall in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and parts of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi. “Earlier than long-term average end-of-rainy season is predicted over parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo States. “A delayed end of season is expected over parts of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu States,” it said. According to NiMet, the length of the rainy season in 2025 is expected to be mostly normal across the country. However, it forecasted a shorter-than-normal season in Borno and parts of Yobe, while Lagos and Nasarawa are expected to have longer-than-normal rainy seasons. “A normal to below-normal annual rainfall is anticipated in most parts of Nigeria compared to the long-term average “Parts of Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the FCT are expected to have above-normal annual rainfall amounts. “High-intensity rainfall is expected in May and June, likely resulting in flash floods in coastal cities. “As with previous years, there are pre-onset rainfall activities that should not be confused with the actual onset of the rainy season,” it said. NiMet anticipated a severe dry spell of more than 15 days after rainfall begins in parts of Oyo during the April-May-June season. It also predicted a moderate dry spell lasting up to 15 days in Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom. “For northern states, a severe dry spell lasting up to 21 days is predicted for the June-July-August season of 2025. “The Little Dry Season (LDS), also known as ‘August Break,’ is predicted to begin by late July and will be severe only in parts of Lagos and Ogun. “The number of days with little or no rainfall will range between 27 and 40. Moderate LDS effects are expected in parts of Ogun, Oyo, and Ekiti,” it said. NiMet further predicted light or mild LDS over Osun, Oyo, Kwara, and parts of Ondo-North. It also forecasted above-average temperatures across the country. “Both daytime and nighttime temperatures are predicted to be warmer than the long-term average over most parts of the country in January, February, March, and May 2025. “However, April daytime and nighttime temperatures are predicted to be cooler than normal, while warmer-than-normal temperatures are likely in most northern states,” it said.