Analysis of Rainfall Trends in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rainfall availability sets the ceiling to crop yield in Nigeria. Rainfall trend is among the important characteristics of rainfall that varies both in time and space. This study has shown a gradual decline in rainfall trend as we move from the coastal south to the northern part of the state. Even though the northern part of the state tends to indicate abysmal increase in annual rainfall trend, a decline in annual rainfall of 58% and 65% of the total period was observed for the coastal south (Eket) and the central part (Uyo) of the state respectively. This decline was more pronounced in the months of March, July and September.

Keywords: climate, trend, variability, draught, rainfall, crop yield