Spatiotemporal variability of rainfall and drought characterization in Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract Rainfall variability and drought events can affect food security globally. This study aimed to assess the spatial and temporal trends and variability of rainfall in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Gridded rainfall data were obtained from the Climate Research Unit (CRUTS 4. 07) (1952–2022) for Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria towns. The rainfall data were subjected to the Anderson‒Darling normality test and found to be normally distributed. The data were analysed using the coefficient of variation (CV), rainfall anomaly index (RAI) and precipitation concentration index (PCI). The trend was assessed using the Mann‒Kendall trend test, and finally, meteorological drought was computed using the standardized precipitation index (SPI). The results revealed that all four locations had low to moderate variability, with CVs < 15%. The rainfall anomaly index revealed that 1983 was the driest year for Birnin Gwari, Kaduna and Kafanchan, with RAI values of − 4. 863, − 4. 474 and − 4. 316, respectively, while in Zaria, the driest year was 1974, with a RAI value of − 4. 065. The PCI showed that there was a high concentration of rainfall in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, and Kafanchan. However, Zaria experienced 41 years of high concentrations and 30 years of very high concentrations of precipitation. The Mann‒Kendall trend test revealed that all four locations experienced a significant downward trend in rainfall within the study period. The Z statistics for Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria were − 1. 112, − 0. 357, − 0. 556 and − 0. 764, respectively, all indicating decreasing rainfall amounts. Finally, the SPI Birnin Gwari and Kaduna experienced 18 months of severe drought, with maximum intensities of − 2. 671 and − 3. 111, respectively. Kafanchan experienced 25 months of drought with a maximum intensity of − 2. 643, while Zaria experienced 30 months of drought with a maximum intensity of − 3. 069. These severe droughts occurred from the 1970s to the 1990s. The study concluded that rainfall concentrations were mostly high and very high, and severe, catastrophic drought events occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.