Trend Analysis of Some Meteorological Parameters in Benue State, Nigeria

This research work determines the trend analysis of some meteorological parameters in Benue state. This study examined the annual trend in temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and wind speed variation in Benue state Nigeria from 1982-2020 using Satellite data. In this study Microsoft-excel 2016 and other statistical tools were used to determine the annual temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and wind speed, seasonal temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and wind speed, cumulative seasonal temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and wind speed. Results indicate that maximum annual temperature of 27.220C occurred in 2019 and minimum of 24.670C occurred in 1984. It is also observed that annual relative humidity is high in 1982 with the value of 78.57% and low in 2017 with the value of 66.01%. Annual wind speed is high in 2015 with the value of 2.272m/s and minimum in 1987 with the value of 1.781m/s. while annual precipitation was high in 2000 with the value of 183.79mm and low in 1999 with the value of 68.08mm. The regression model of temperature and wind speed shows a positive slope trend (0.00388 and 8.44481E-5) which suggests that the monthly trend in the area of study is increasing over time. The regression model also shows a negative slope trend (-0.10062 and -0.0125) of precipitation and relative humidity which suggests that the monthly trend in the area of study is decreasing over time. The study therefore recommends that proactive measure like making accurate and appropriate weather and climate data available for economic planning should be encouraged by all, to mitigate these consequences especially on population whose livelihood depends on agriculture that is temperature sensitive.