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Diurnal and annual mean weather cycles over Nsukka, Nigeria during 2010/2011

2018; University of Nigeria; Volume: 37; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.4314/njt.v37i2.31

2467-8821

C.O. Onyenucheya, H.C. Nnamchi,

Solar Radiation and Photovoltaics

This study analyzed the mean diurnal and annual cycles of weather elements over Nsukka using the data for 2010 and 2011. It is found that diurnally the peak/trough values occur as follows: temperature (15/06 hrs), relative humidity (06/15 hrs), atmospheric pressure (10/17 hrs), and wind speed (16/19 hrs). The occurrence of the maximum in temperature prior that of wind speed suggests that the dominant winds over Nsukka may be thermally driven. The mean annual peaks/troughs are viz; temperature (March/August), wind speed (December/October), relative humidity (August/January), rainfall (September/December and January) and atmospheric pressure (July/April). A roughly curvilinear fit is found between the annual rainfall and relative humidity: while rainfall appears insensitive to humidity changes during the drier months, its response tends to be linear during the rainy season.Keywords: Diurnal Cycle, Annual Cycle, Curve Fitting, Weather Modulations, Nsukka Weather