A GEO-LOCATIONAL ANALYSIS OF DROUGHT SEVERITY/MAGNITUDE IN THE SAVANNAH REGION OF NIGERIA

The study investigated the relationship between drought severity/magnitude and geographical parameters of Latitude, Longitude and Mean Annual Rainfall (MAR) of 50 locations in the Savannah region of Nigeria. Secondary data on rainfall for all stations was obtained from the headquarters of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMets), Abuja. The research made used of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPl) technique to established drought severity/magnitude for all locations. It further employed the use of Pearson Pro uct Moment Correlation Analysis to test relationship between the SPl values generated with geograp uca parameters of Longitude, Latitude and Mean Annual Rainfall (MAR). Results obtained shows tiat atitu exerts a strong but negative relationship on MAR and SPl values. That is, an increase in latitu e wi ea to a decrease in MAR and SPl values with a correlation coefficient of (r = *0.787 and -0.805) respectixe y. in further revealed that a strong positive relationship existed between MAR and SPl values with r - 0.90 . relationships were significant at the 99% confidence level. The research therefore concludes that on tie overall , drought magnitude generally increases with increasing latitude