Abstract

Mean rainfall, atmospheric pressure and mean temperature data spanning the period of 2005-2011 were analysed to determine the rainfall pattern in Sokoto State and to understand the relationship between the meteorological parameters. ! !!Sokoto northwestern part of Nigeria lies in the Rima Basin area between latitude 12º 15 29 North of the equator and ! !!. longitude 13º 58 22 It was observed that the rainfall at Sokoto lasted for the period of six month from May to September and sometimes with a little rainfall in October. Also it was observed that maximum rainfall is observed in the month of August except in the year 2008 where maximum rainfall was observed in the month of July. The analysis shows marked decrease in temperature with increase in rainfall and atmospheric pressure in most of the months where there is rainfall. The difference between the smoothened inversed relations for temperature and atmospheric pressure for Sokoto are large in summer with the only exception of winter i.e. during harmattan. The anti-correlation behavior both on yearly and secular time scales, is partly due to less wet months that accompanied decrease in rainfall with increase in temperature.

Key words: Rainfall, Temperature, Atmospheric pressure.