Spatiotemporal Trends And Variability Analysis Of Rainfall And Temperature Over Benin Metropolitan Region, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rainfall and temperature are the two major climatic variables affecting humans and the environment. Hence, it is essential to study rainfall and temperature variability over urban areas. This study focused on analyzing the spatiotemporal trends and variability of rainfall and temperature over Benin metropolitan region, Nigeria. Time series analysis was used to determine temporal trends in rainfall as well as minimum and maximum atmospheric temperatures over a study period of 30 years (1990 to 2019). Analysis of variance was used to understand spatiotemporal variations of climatic elements among the spatial units (urban core, intermediate and peripheral areas). Land surface temperature (LST) and land use/land cover (LULC) classes of the study area were analyzed from Landsat TM Imagery of 2020. Results revealed a decreasing trend for rainfall and increasing trend for minimum and maximum atmospheric temperatures in all the spatial units. Rainfall distribution and temperature among the spatial units were statistically insignificant; however, significant temporal decadal variations were noticed for minimum and maximum air temperatures. This investigation provided valuable information for assessing changes in rainfall and temperature and concluded that the study area is becoming warmer; an indication of global warming and climate change.