The Lagos State Government on Wednesday stated that the state is anticipated to experience above normal rainfall amounts in the first peak of the rainy season while normal rainfall amounts are expected in the second peak of the 2025 rainy season.
Speaking during the press briefing of the Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) held at Alausa, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said the SCP is in continuation of the tradition to annually alert the public of the patterns of the Y2025 predicted rainfall and its socio-economic implications for the people of Laos State.
“The rainy season is expected to start as early as the last week of March, while the end of season is expected in the first week of December saying the average annual rainfall amount predicted is 1936mm which is greater than the long-term 1991-2020 average” he said.
Wahab said that the forecast for this year is based on the neutral phase of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) which is expected to persist in the first six to eight months of the year.
He said the forecast also implies an early onset of the rainy season, longer than normal length and delayed end of the rainy season in Lagos.
He said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), had on the 4th of February 2025 as part of its ministerial mandate released this year’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) which was a forecast of the expected patterns of rainfall, temperature and other weather parameters in the entire country.
The Commissioner explained that the briefing is conducted annually by the state in keeping with its proactive approach of informing and educating the public about the important climate information and to get them ready for the expected impact of the rainy season as well as other relevant weather events.
He stated specifically that Ikeja is expected to have an onset date of 2nd of April and a cessation date of 2nd December with an annual amount of 1900mm while Badagry is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 30th March and the end of season date of 4th December with an rainfall annual amount of 1978mm.
He added that Ikorodu is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 2nd of April and end of season date of 3rd December with an annual amount of 1903mm as Lagos just as Lagos Island on its part is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 1st of April, cessation date of 3rd December and annual amount of 1936mm.
He stressed that Epe is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 31st of March and a cessation date of 4th of December with an annual amount of 1952mm saying Lagos State is expected to experience above normal rainfall and the same scenario is also expected to be experienced in the neighbouring Ogun State.
He said it is also expected that the high amounts of rainfall sometimes would lead to flash flooding events in some parts of the State adding that strong winds are expected during the onset and end of each rainy season and this may put lives and properties may be at risk, disrupt commercial activities and flight delays which could result to revenue loss.
“The Ministry is collaborating with NiMet in the annual Seasonal Climate Prediction which has been valuable as a vital weather and early warning tool for farmers, planners, decision makers and operators of the various sectors and businesses that are likely to be impacted by the annual rainfall” he said.
