Statistical variability of hydro-meteorological variables as indicators of climate change in north-east Sokoto-Rima basin, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the variability patterns of rainfall and actual evapotranspiration during two climatic scenarios as an insight in climatic response to global warming. The comparison between evapotranspiration during the periods (1943-1977) and (1978-2012) at the five studied weather stations revealed a general decrease in rainfall and actual evapotranspiration in the second climatic period. This has a lot of implications for water resources development including water supply project, agriculture and tourism in the study area.

Key word: Climate change, Climatic variability, Actual evapotranspiration, Global warming