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Difficulty: EasyClimate and Climatic Regions of Nigeria

During the dry season in Nigeria, a dust-laden wind blows from the Sahara Desert across the country, causing dry and hazy weather conditions. Which air mass is primarily responsible for bringing these conditions?

  1. A
    Tropical Maritime (mT) air mass
  2. Continental Tropical (cT) air massAnswer
  3. C
    Equatorial Maritime (eM) air mass
  4. D
    Polar Continental (cP) air mass

Answer

The Continental Tropical (cT) air mass is responsible for the dry and dusty Harmattan weather in Nigeria.
The Continental Tropical (cT) air mass originates over the dry Sahara Desert to the north. Driven by the North-East Trade Winds, it moves southward across Nigeria during the dry season, bringing dry, dusty, and hazy conditions known locally as the Harmattan.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the origin and characteristics of the specified weather phenomenon.
The dust-laden, dry wind blowing during the dry season is known as the Harmattan, coming from the dry Sahara Desert in the north.
Air masses acquire temperature and moisture characteristics from their source regions.
2
Match the weather characteristics to the correct air mass classification.
Continental Tropical (cT) air mass originates over land and desert regions in tropical latitudes, making it dry, warm, and dusty.
Maritime air masses bring moisture, whereas continental air masses bring dry air.

Key Concept

Air Masses of Nigeria and Harmattan Weather
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Climate and Climatic Regions of Nigeria

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