Radio refractivity computations in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

This paper is the study of radio refractivity computations in Kano State (12. 43°𝑁, 8. 19°𝐸), Northwestern Nigeria. One-year meteorological data of relative humidity, pressure, temperature, and dew point were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the statistical values of tropospheric radio refractivity were evaluated. The data were further analysed to obtain the refractivity gradient values. From the results, the computed refractivity has peak values of 290 N-Units, 231 N-Units, 158 N-Units and 125 N-Units at heights of 1.5 km, 3 km, 6 km and 8 km respectively, while minimum values of 245 N-Units, 170 N Units, 146 N-Units and 114 N-Units were obtained at the same respective heights of 1.5 km, 3 km, 6 km and 8 km. For the refractivity gradients, the computed values ranged from -50 N Units/km to -24 N-Units/km at 3 km, -29 N-Units/km to -22 N-Units/km at 6 km and from -25 N-Units/km to -19 N-Units/km at 8 km.