Diurnal and annual mean weather cycles over Nsukka, Nigeria during 2010/2011

This study analyzed the mean diurnal and annual cycles of weather elements over Nsukka using the data for 2010 and 2011. It is found that diurnally the peak/trough values occur as follows: temperature (15/06 hrs), relative humidity (06/15 hrs), atmospheric pressure (10/17 hrs), and wind speed (16/19 hrs). The occurrence of the maximum in temperature prior that of wind speed suggests that the dominant winds over Nsukka may be thermally driven. The mean annual peaks/troughs are viz; temperature (March/August), wind speed (December/October), relative humidity (August/January), rainfall (September/December and January) and atmospheric pressure (July/April). A roughly curvilinear fit is found between the annual rainfall and relative humidity: while rainfall appears insensitive to humidity changes during the drier months, its response tends to be linear during the rainy season.Keywords: Diurnal Cycle, Annual Cycle, Curve Fitting, Weather Modulations, Nsukka Weather