Harmattan

The Harmattan is a season in West Africa, which occurs between the end of November and the middle of March. It is characterized by the dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind, of the same name, which blows from the Sahara Desert over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea.[1] The name is related to the word haramata in the Twi language.[2] The temperature is cold in most places, but can also be hot in certain places, depending on local circumstances.[3]

For the French publisher, see L'Harmattan.
For the Maemo release code-named Harmattan, see Maemo.
Harmattan haze surrounding Abuja National Mosque in Abuja
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The Harmattan blows during the dry season, which occurs during the months with the lowest sun. In this season the subtropical ridge of high pressure stays over the central Sahara Desert and the low-pressure Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) stays over the Gulf of Guinea. On its passage over the Sahara, the harmattan picks up fine dust and sand particles (between 0.5 and 10 microns). It is also known as the "doctor wind", because of its invigorating dryness compared with humid tropical air.

Effects

This season differs from winter, because it is characterized by cold, dry,[4] dust-laden wind, and also wide fluctuations in the ambient temperatures of the day and night. Temperatures can easily be as low as 9 °C (48 °F) all day, but sometimes in the afternoon the temperature can also soar to as high as 30 °C (86 °F), while the relative humidity drops under 5%. It can also be hot in some regions, like in Sahara desert.[5]

Harmattan haze over Ho, Ghana

The air is particularly dry and desiccating when the Harmattan blows over the region.[4] The Harmattan brings desert-like weather conditions: it lowers the humidity, dissipates cloud cover, prevents rainfall formation and sometimes creates big clouds of dust which can result in dust storms or sandstorms. The wind can increase fire risk[6] and cause severe crop damage.[7] The interaction of the Harmattan with monsoon winds can cause tornadoes.[1]

Harmattan haze

In some countries in West Africa, the heavy amount of dust in the air can severely limit visibility and block the sun for several days,[8] comparable to a heavy fog. This effect is known as the Harmattan haze. It costs airlines millions of dollars in cancelled and diverted flights each year.[9][10] When the haze is weak, the skies are clear.[11][12] The extreme dryness of the air may cause branches of trees to die.[13]

Health

Humidity drops to as low as 15%, which can result in spontaneous nosebleeds for some people.[7] Other health effects on humans may include conditions of the skin (dryness of the skin), dried or chapped lips, eyes, and respiratory system, including aggravation of asthma.[14]

See also

References
  1. "Harmattan". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  2. "Harmattan". Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster. 2012.
  3. Geographical Review (1919): "Knox writes of this wind : The Harmattan is experienced as a wind which blows, especially in the months of December, January, and February, from the NE. and is a hot wind in some localities and a cold wind in others, according to circumstances."
  4. Minka, Ndazo Salka; Ayo, Joseph (2014). "Influence of cold–dry (harmattan) season on colonic temperature and the development of pulmonary hypertension in broiler chickens, and the modulating effect of ascorbic acid". Open Access Animal Physiology: 1. doi:10.2147/OAAP.S51741.
  5. Climate and Land Degradation (ISBN 3540724370, 2007): "At the southern fringe of the Sahara Desert, a special dry and hot wind, locally termed Harmattan, occurs."
  6. "Harmattan: Behold A Season". Leadership (Nigerian newspaper). 13 December 2014.
  7. Terazono, Emiko; Blas, Javier (January 19, 2012). "Saharan wind stirs cocoa market". Financial Times. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  8. "Tuareg unrest". BBC, via Temoust. 2007-09-07. Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
  9. This Day: Nigerian Civil Aviation warns pilots, airlines of Harmattan haze
  10. Valdmanis, Richard (2012-02-08). "Giant dust cloud chokes west Africa". Reuters. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
  11. "As harmattan finally hits Lagos". Vanaguard. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  12. "The Climate Of Nigeria". The Library of Congress Studies. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  13. "The North American Review, Volume 42". 1836. p. 213.
  14. Anuforo, Emeka; Chukwu, Lilian (20 January 2015). "Coping With Health Hazards of Harmattan Haze". Rivers State News.
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