Characterisation of Meteorological Drought in Northern Nigeria Using Comparative Rainfall-Based Drought Metrics

Meteorological droughts occur when there is deficiency in rainfall; i.e. rainfall availability below some acclaimed normal values. Hence, the greater challenge to be able obtain suitable methods for assessing drought occurrence, its onset or initiation and termination. Thus, an attempt was made this paper evaluate performance of Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) Anomaly (SPAI) characterise Northern Nigeria purposes comparison eventual adoption probable candidate index development Early Warning System. The findings indicated that despite fact annual timescale may long, it can employed information on temporal evolution especially, regional behaviour. However, monthly more appropriate if emphasis evaluating effects situations relating water supply, agriculture groundwater abstractions. SPAI periodic time series though; accentuates signatures not necessarily dampen high fluctuations due implications climatic variability considering stochastic nature state transition phenomena. On other hand, SPI were coherent at different accumulations with differences fluctuations. between SPAI, generally timescales, instance, 6-month accumulation, both spatial distributions characteristics seemingly consistent. In view observed shortcomings indices, especially SPI, Nonstationary (SnsPI) should looked into too, indexes take consideration global warming by incorporating potential evapotranspiration deemed studies Nigeria.