Climate

Although Nigeria lies within the tropical zone, there are wide climatic variations across the different areas of the country. Inland, there are two distinct seasons: a dry season from November to March, with noon temperatures that can exceed 38°C (100°F), but with relatively cool nights, and a wet season from April to October, with generally lower temperatures. On the Jos Plateau, temperatures are more moderate. Average rainfall ranges from 50 cm in the extreme north to 127 cm over most of central Nigeria.

Near the coast, the seasons are not so sharply defined. Temperatures are rarely higher than 32°C (90°F), but nights are hot and humidity is very high. Average rainfall varies from 178 cm in the west to about 430 cm in certain parts of the east.

Two principal wind currents affect Nigeria: the southwest wind, which brings cloudy and rainy weather; and the harmattan, from the northeast, which is hot and dry and carries dust from the desert. The harmattan causes high temperatures during the day and cool nights.