Effects of Some Meteorological Parameters on Visibility in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
C. O. Nwokocha *
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
C. U. Okujagu
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
P. I. Enyinna
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Effects of meteorological parameters of relative humidity and wind direction on visibility in the Niger Delta, Nigeria (4.15°N-7.17°N, 5.05°E-8.68°E) for a period of 31 years (1981-2012) have been investigated. The data on visibility, relative humidity and wind direction were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) respectively. The visibility and meteorological data were analyzed to study the temporal variation of atmospheric visibility and its relationship with meteorological parameters in the region. The analysis was done using statistical techniques and the results show that cities in the Eastward (Calaber, Uyo and Port Harcourt) have more inverse correlation between Relative humidity and visibility while Westward cities (Owerri, Warri and Akure) are more directly correlated to visibility. Again it shows that visibility is more correlated with relative humidity in places of high hydrocarbon activities like Port Harcourt while it is better correlated with wind direction in places with less hydrocarbon activities like Akure.
Keywords: Meteorological, parameters, visibility, Niger Delta, Nigeria.