The Harmattan is a season in West Africa, which occurs between the end of November and the middle of March. It is characterized by the dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind, of the same name, which blows from the Sahara Desert over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea.
What causes harmattan in Nigeria?
The Harmattan is not only associated with low temperature, but it also involves pollution of the atmosphere by the dust-laden northeast trade winds blowing across the Sahara desert.
What does the African term Harmattan mean?
Harmattan(noun) a dry, hot wind, prevailing on the Atlantic coast of Africa, in December, January, and February, blowing from the interior or Sahara.
Is Harmattan same as winter?
The harmattan season differs from winter because it is characterized by cold–dry wind, heavy dust-laden particles, and wide fluctuations in day and night ambient temperatures (AT).
What is harmattan in Nigeria?
This annual invasion of the infamous Harmattan is a seasonal sheen of fine dust from the Sahara desert and dry and degraded land that blows over West Africa and deeply affects Nigeria during the dry months. This seasonal ambush is expected to get worse with climate change and further degrade air quality.
How cold is harmattan in Nigeria?
Temperatures can easily be as low as 9 °C (48 °F) all day, but sometimes in the afternoon the temperature can also soar to as high as 30 °C (86 °F), while the relative humidity drops under 5%.
How long does Harmattan last in Nigeria?
Heres how to survive the intense weather. The season of Harmattan, from Twi word haramata, originates from the dry and dusty harmattan trade winds which blows from the Sahara desert over West Africa. It usually comes between the end of November and the middle of March.
Is Harmattan an English word?
The word harmattan has been in the English language for centuries, since 1671, but its origin is West African, Ghanaian to be precise. Makes sense given that it’s our weather. The way the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) tells the story, Harmattan started out as “haramata,” a Twi or Fante word.
Does Harmattan cause sore throat?
Most of the results obtained during the Harmattan season reveals that the effect of the Harmattan is high from November to January but highest in December. It is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that affects the nose. Coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and fever are signs of the disease.
What does credo mean?
Credo comes straight from the Latin word meaning “I believe”, and is the first word of many religious credos, or creeds, such as the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. But the word can be applied to any guiding principle or set of principles.
How do you survive Harmattan?
How To Stay Healthy During Harmattan
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Wash your eyes regularly to avoid red eyes which is common in during harmattan.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a mask or towel when it is dusty.
- Avoid or reduce outdoor activities, especially if you have allergies.
Does Nigeria have winter?
The Weather and Climate in Nigeria
Nigeria in general has hot climate throughout the year with slight difference between summer and winter. … The wet season (summer) is normally from April to October while the dry season (winter) is from November to March.
What is the coldest month in Nigeria?
| Quick Climate Info | |
|---|---|
| Hottest Month | March (85 °F avg) |
| Coldest Month | August (79 °F avg) |
| Wettest Month | June (7.35″ avg) |
| Windiest Month | August (8 mph avg) |
How cold does it get in Nigeria?
In the north, winter is warm and dry; it can get uncomfortably hot during the day, up to 40 °C (104 °F), but it’s usually cool at night, and it can even get cold in the northern hilly areas, where cold records are around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F).
What are the characteristics of Harmattan?
Harmattan (Wind) Characteristics
It is typically characterized by strong winds blowing from North to South from late November to mid-March, often clocking speeds of 1.76 m/s. The Harmattan lowers the humidity to as low as 15 percent at times, and scatters clouds, thus hindering the formation of rainfall.
What is harmattan in Ghana?
Harmattan in Ghana
The Harmattan is a dry, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara desert in late December and continues sometimes until early February. Most years it is somewhat pleasant because it dims the sun and decreases the humidity. … The Harmattan is more intense the farther North you travel.