APPENDIX VIII
Philip Askell Benton translation
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN BRITISH BORNU
Thermometrical and barometrical observations have been taken in Bornu for some years past by the Government Medical Officers; at Maiduguri in Southern Bornu from 1905, and at Geidam in Northern Bornu from 1907. The observations in all cases are taken at 9 a.m. in the shade of an open grass-roofed shed, with maximum and minimum thermometers.
Average monthly temperature, ascertained by taking the monthly averages for the years recorded.
Month. Geidam. Maiduguri.
° °
January 70·65 74·28
February 75·6 76·9
March 84·13 84·78
April 89·41 91·77
May 90·58 90·62
June 89·81 86·42
July 84·6 82·31
August 80·29 78·76
September 83·77 81·46
October 84·48 83·51
November 77·66 79·17
December 71·16 73·88
Average yearly temperature.
Year. Maiduguri. Geidam.
° °
1905 80·9 —
1906 82·14 —
1907 82·68 81·01
1908 83·02 81·35
1909 82·83 81·57
1910 78·56 82·23
The record maximum temperature of 120° was obtained at Maiduguri on April 6, 1907; the record minimum temperature of 41° at Maiduguri on March 30, 1910; the record fluctuation of 61° at Maiduguri on March 10, 1910.
The record maximum temperature at Geidam was 119° F. on March 28, 1911, and the record minimum 44° F. on January 8, 1912; the record fluctuation at Geidam was 51° F. on May 1, 1911, and January 24, 1912.
Rainfall
Year. Rainfall at Maiduguri. Rainfall at Geidam.
Inches. Inches.
1905 26·04 —
1906 31·65 20·80
1907 23·63 18·15
1908 23·30 22·39
1909 31·99 21·22
1910 19·53 16·78
1911 30·00 10·46
The record rainfall for 24 hours was 3·87″ at Maiduguri on August 27, 1911.
[I am indebted for these figures to the kindness of Drs. Ellis, McLeay, Moiser, and Cobb of the West African Medical staff.—P. A. B.]
Direction of Prevailing Wind
According to the observations taken at Maiduguri, which is just below 12° North latitude, the prevailing winds are as follows:
January, ENE.
February, NE.
March, E.
April, SW.
May, SW.
June, SW.
July, SW.
August, SW.
September, SW.
October, NE.
November, NE.
December, E.