Harmattan - W. Africa's Hot, Dry Trade Wind Season - Worst In Living Memory In Nigeria

[hatrack]

Harmattan is a dry and dusty West African trade wind that blows south from Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March, a period of winter in other parts of the world. On its passage over the desert, it picks up dust particles (between 0.5 and 10 micrometres). In some West African countries, the heavy amount of dust in the air can severely limit visibility and block the sun for several days, comparable to a heavy fog. The effect caused by the dust and sand stirred by these winds is known as the Harmattan Haze, and costs airlines millions in cancelled and diverted flights each year. When the Harmattan blows hard, it can push dust and sand all the way to South America. The harmattan haze is blowing across the North in an unusual manner. People have ascribed unusual weather patterns in the world to climate change problems in recent times.

With its attendant poor visibility, motorists and other road users have joined other people in feeling the pinch. At its worst, the Harmattan comes with three harsh conditions: dust, wind, and cold. None of the three can be said to be fair considering the fact that no meaningful activity will be carried out. For first time visitors to the affected states, the Harmattan can be very uncomfortable as no serious socio-economic activity will be carried out.

In Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the past two weeks have seen a slow down in economic and social activities. Markets open late while places of worship have seen decline in attendance, especially of the early morning worshipers. Offices open late and close early, while petty labourers, who help in loading items in the market, popularly known here as Yan Dako, find it difficult to work.
Experts have ascribed the harsh form of Harmattan experienced in recent years to Global Warming, an issue that is at the front burner of international discussions and debates. While harmattan generally featured in some parts of the southern hinterland, there were hardly traces of harmattan in many areas from October to January which were supposed to be its effective seasons. In 1990, experts were worried that for a long time, there was no trace of Harmattan during its season.

But, Mr. Thaddeus Obidike, chief meteorologist central forecasting officer, Lagos, explained that the erratic weather was caused by “a very deep low pressure area centered on Europe and North America, which persisted between October and December 1990. In the last two decades, it has become unusual to have the type of Harmattan currently being experienced in the south. The carrying of the Sahara dust haze during this season now appears to be unusual. As a Kenyan farmer innocently commented on the change in weather pattern some years ago, “the weather is confused”!!

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