Before my admission into ABU Zaria, I never knew that Nigeria has some states that have extremely cold temperatures especially during the harmattan season, which are mostly the northern part of the region. Visiting these places at the end of the year, you might capitulate that these places are as chilly just like most European countries during the winter. To give an insight into the coldest places in Northern Nigeria, this article will incorporate the top 8 coldest places in northern Nigeria during the harmattan season in no particular order.

8 Coldest Places in Northern Nigeria

1. Jos, Plateau State

If you are blindfolded and lead into Jos especially during the harmattan period, you would argue and mistake the area for some European countries. This is as a result of the coldness of the weather there is much like the winter.

Located in the North Central Zone of the six geo political  Zone of the country and surrounded with rocks and stones, Plateau State stands out to be among the coldest state in Northern Nigeria with a weather temperature of 17°c. This has however made the place a favourite holiday location for both tourists and expatriates based in Nigeria right from colonial times till this present day- earning it”the home of Peace and Tourism”.

2. Kano, Kano State

Although the weather in Kano State is exceptionally hot during the year, capriciously changes from November down through December, which is the Harmattan season- to the early year.

With an average low temperature ranging from 11 to 15^c, the state stands out to be one of the coldest places, not only in northern Nigeria but the country at large.

3. Wammako, Sokoto State

With a temperature of about 19°c, Sokoto State happens to be one of the most affected parts of the northern region by cold – especially in Wammako Local government. The State stands out close to the onset of the Harmattan wind, exposing it to severe cold during the period – mostly November – December to the following year.

Even though the temperature is usually hot in the afternoon during the dry season, it is always cold and windy in the morning and at night, to the point – if you step out of your room at this time, you might be swept off your balance with the intensity of the wind blowing alongside the cold.

4. Gembu, Taraba State

Despite the fact that Jos is a frigid town, Gembu on the Mambilla plateau is far colder. This town is located in Taraba state’s Sarduana LGA and has a height of 4,423 feet, making it the country’s highest. In December and January, temperatures in Gembu can drop to as low as 1°c due to the high elevation around the Mambilla plateau axis.

Like every other state in Nigeria, Taraba State is a very comfortable place during the wet season and warm during the dry season.

5. Zaria, Kaduna State

Coming to Kaduna (Zaria to be precise) from Kwara State for the first time around the early month of January, I started experiencing coldness at its zenith around 6: 00 in the noon. On reaching Zaria which was my destination – at around 8: 20 thereabout, the cardigan I came with couldn’t withstand the level of coldness anymore. This is to show how extremely cold the state was then and even today.

Early in the morning, the temperature is always around 19°c. During this time, it is always a burden to perform an ablution, talk more about bathing.

Furthermore, It shouldn’t be much of a surprise to you while you are under the scorchy sun and yet be threatened with cold.   

6. Kubwa, Abuja

Taking into consideration the coldest places in Northern Nigeria, Adamawa state is not left out – importantly, a place like Mubi in the said state. Adamawa is an elevated land area and has some significant rocks – with this, the place is also prone to coldness.

The weather temperature is extremely cold during harmattan with an average temperature ranging from 15. 2°c, making it one of the coldest places in Adamawa state.

7. Funtua, Katsina State

The highest temperature ever recorded in Funtua in Katsina state was 39 degrees Celsius in December. At this time of year, the state temperature can drop to as low as 7 degrees Celsius.

The harmattan period can result in foggy conditions in the atmosphere.

8. Toro, Bauchi State

With a low temperature of about 20°c in the day, Toro in Bauchi State is also considered to be one of the coldest states in Northern Nigeria, while it is believed that the temperature is quite lower than this in the morning and at night.  

Conclusion

Since cold temperatures can be good for your skin’s health due to the fact that it constrains blood vessels in the skin, which makes the blood vessels less likely to have redness and swelling, why not visit one of the places listed above and have a first-hand experience on how lovely it feels to experience cold at its zenith here in Nigeria?

Don’t forget to come in these clothes everyone should have this harmattan.