The Harmattan is a season in the West African subcontinent, which occurs between the end of November and the middle of March. It is characterized by the dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind, draughty air and cold.
However, this year’s harmattan weather isn’t something most Nigerians are used to with various states recording low temperature levels, some even record setting. The dry and draughty air also, tripling its usual density.
Just yesterday, the state of Jos, Plateau state recorded a low temperature of 6.7 degree Celsius, which the National Centre for Remote Sensing stated on Friday, the 3rd. Temperatures in Jos and parts of the north and central parts of Plateau State dropped to 9 degree Celsius on New Year’s Day and have continued to drop in the early hours of Friday morning, sparking heightened lamentations from residents across the state.
The city of Ilorin recorded early morning temperatures of 16 degree Celsius on Friday the 3rd and biting cold weather also, forcing Kano residents to stay indoors.
“Some of my friends saw snow that day, and that is where my school is located. But those we met in this town said hadn’t been it was some years ago when it clocks 4 p.m , people stay indoors because of the extreme cold. It was 4 degrees Celsuis by google in Biu this morning and I was indoors till 11 a.m. I believe it was even lesser.
Anonymous Personnel- from Biu, Borno State
Some Nigerians lamented on the harsh weather, asking why there isn’t snow falling in Nigeria.
The answer is quite clear as you can see in the video below:
Haha! very funny. Here is the real reason:
Nigeria is located close to the Equator, meaning it has a very tropical climate with hot temperatures all year long (except during the dry season’s early mornings when it can be chilly, especially in the North). So any precipitation will fall as rain and sometimes hail, even in low altitude parts of the country. Due to its high altitude (above 1000m) and lower temperatures, Jos receives more hail than other areas but it is often incorrectly believed to be snow because of the way it accumulates on the ground. It really can never be cold enough to snow in Nigeria.
https://www.quora.com/Why-doesnt-it-snow-in-Nigeria
