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Hail Storm In Abeokuta: Any Geographic Explanations?
Yesterday, there were reports of a hail storm in Abeokuta, in the south-western part of Nigeria as residents witnessed ice blocks, the size of gravels falling from the sky. Such occurrences are uncommon in Nigeria, and as such, residents were apprehensive when it started.
According to reports, the hail storm started while rain was falling heavily around 5.42pm. The weather was slightly windy and the rain lasted about 27 minutes. Roads, rooftops and vehicles were covered with ice blocks. Frightened motorists, who did not know what was hitting their vehicles hurriedly parked by the roadsides.
In Ake, the wind shields of three vehicles were broken by the ice. The experience was the same in Panseke, MKO Abiola Stadium and Kuto.
A witness who wrote his experience on Nairaland and posted these pictures said it was like having gravels poured on the roof of your vehicle. “I’m presently driving somewhere around Kuto, in Abeokuta and there’s massive hail storm here. It’s so strong, it’s got people leaving their cars for shelter. To give you an idea, it’s like having gravel poured on the roof of your vehicle from a four storey building. This is the second time i’m witnessing this anomaly. The first being around 1981 in Festac as a kid. Is this phenomenon normal, or a sign of the end time as predicted in 2012?”
Another witness, Mr. Denola Badejo of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library(OOPL), Abeokuta, said he was afraid when the rain caught him driving. “I thought it would break my glass. The first time I witnessed it was in 1977 in Ijebu – Ode. I was in the secondary school then. During my first experience, tiny fishes fell from the sky with the ice. I caught one of the fishes and tried to rear it, but it died later.”
Apparently, these are older people who have experienced such in Nigeria. But for some of us who weren’t around in 1977 or in 1981, a hail storm in Nigeria is completely new.
In Nigeria’s tropical weather, hail storms aren’t normal. What could be the explanation for this? A climate change or what?
Also, were you in Abeokuta when this happened? Or have you ever witnessed a hail storm before? Please share your experience?
Sources: Nairaland | Nigerian Eye
