Traditional weather forecasts: expert shares 5 ways Africa’s coastal residents predict floods

By Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola, Visiting Scientist, United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University

In the Lapai Gwari community of Niger state, north central Nigeria, elders predict the weather by observing a large stone in the Chachanga River. The LapanGwagwan stone serves as a tool to determine the frequency of flooding and gauge the severity of rainfall.

When the colour of the stone changes to brown, it signifies an imminent heavy downpour, while a grey colour indicates either light or moderate rainfall.

This traditional knowledge helps the community to prepare for potential flooding.

This is just one example of the indigenous knowledge established in…

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