The Effects of Climate Change on Rainfall Pattern in Warri Metropolis, Nigeria

The study examines rainfall characteristics in Warri metropolis for the past 30 years (1986-2015). Rainfall data was collected from the archives of Nigerian Meteorological Agency; and oral interview was also conducted. The study exploited rainfall characteristics such as daily, monthly and yearly amount of rainfall, intensity, frequency, variability, trends, return period and fluctuation of rainfall. Simple Linear Regression analysis and Standardized Rainfall Anomaly Index (SAI) were used to analyze the data. Among other findings, the correlation coefficient (-0.156) shows a negative relationship between rainfall and time (years). The trend line regression equation Y=243.75-0.4572X, confirms that rainfall in Warri Metropolis is decreasing at the rate of -0.45 per year. Recommendations given included continual monitoring and study of rainfall characteristics and other climatic data and dissemination of such information for planning purposes; drastic reduction of gas flaring in the metropolis, legislation against indiscriminate deforestation and need for proper urban planning.