Spatial and Seasonal Variations of Physiologic Comfort in Nigeria

This study examined spatial and seasonal variations of Physiologic Comfort in Nigeria, regionalized Nigeria into different comfort zones, determined the trend of Physiologic Comfort in Nigeria over the years, and discussed ways of improving Physiologic Comfort in the country. Weather parameters that were utilised in this study were collected from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Oshodi, Lagos; over a period of forty-six years (1971-2016). The weather parameters used are dry and wet bulb temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, vapour pressure and wind speed. Twenty-Seven (27) weather stations were utilized and established with the aid of 2° x 2° grid method sampling technique for the collection of the weather parameters. Descriptive statistics, maps, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Triple Exponential Smoothing (TES) and physiologic comfort indices (UTCI, WBGT, ET, THI, RSI, Hu and TDI) were used in this study. The study indicated that Nigeria is physiologically uncomfortable with heat stress. This is evident from the UTCI (22.9°C), TDI (25°C), ET (24.4°C), THI (25°C), Hu (35°C), RSI (ratio) and WBGT (24°C) that showed discomfort.