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Claim: Nigeria’s heat wave has never reached 40°C before.
Verdict: FALSE. Reliable records show that the temperature in Nigeria at various times had reached and surpassed 40°c.
Full Text
A heat wave, also known as extreme heat, is a period of abnormally hot weather. It occurs when the temperature in plains reaches 40°C or more and in hilly regions 30°C or more.
The happenings around climate change recently took a severe dimension, with unbearable heat levels recorded globally. Africa, like other continents, has had its share of this heat and, in many cases, still does.
For instance, South Sudan recently ordered the closure of schools because of an expected heat wave that is forecast to last about two weeks.
An X user, Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone), shared the news, generating over 300,000 engagements, including views, likes, comments, and reposts.
Reacting to this news, an X user, OlaMide (@Fifa737), commented that heat in Nigeria has never reached 40 degrees.
However, a user, CH – EL ~ HAJI OF BUK (@agab_friyoyo), disagreed, stating, ‘’You haven’t been to core north. Kano usually frequents 43, 44, and 45.’’
Another user, Septemberkid (@petressanchez), wrote, “Nigeria has never reached 45 true. There’s a difference between temperature and feel-like temperature.’’
These conflicting comments and the need to set the records straight prompted DUBAWA to fact-check the claim.
Verification
We checked the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and found that the institute had published forecasts showing temperatures above 40 degrees on different dates in many locations in Nigeria. You can see the estimates here, here, here, and here.
Al Jazeera and AIT also reported some of these forecasts.
Conclusion
The claim by an X user that the temperature in Nigeria has never reached 40°C is false, as available data show otherwise.