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Explaining August’s cool weather in Ghana – a good time to catch fish

Claim: A Facebook user stated the aphelion phenomenon as the reason for the blowing cold breeze in Ghana. He insists the phenomenon will last till 22 August and impact flu-like ill-health.

False. Meteorology and astronomy experts explain that the aphelion phenomenon happens once a year and does not directly affect weather conditions nor cause flu-like symptoms.

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A Facebook user in Ghana stated that the current cool weather will last till 22 August and attributed it to the aphelion phenomenon. The post added that the phenomenon would cause it to be colder than in previous years and with health implications such as flu, shortness of breath and cough. The same post appears to be circulating in other parts of the world. The post is seen below:

Source: Facebook 

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What is the aphelion phenomenon? 

There is a time the earth is at its farthest from the sun. This phenomenon is what astronomy experts call aphelion. Aphelion happens annually in early July, and this year it happened on 4 July 2022, as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the US government and other reports here and here have recorded. 

Scientists indicate that even though the earth is farthest from the sun during this period, the earth is warmer then. 

Roy Spencer, an expert at the Global Hydrology and Climate Center in Alabama, said,

“In fact, the average temperature of Earth at aphelion is about 4o F (2.3o C) higher than it is at perihelion.”

DUBAWA interviewed Joshua Asamoah, a meteorologist at the Ghana Meteorological Agency, to further situate the phenomenon in the Ghanaian context and explain the weather conditions. 

He explained that the earth rotates and revolves around the sun. Due to the earth’s shape, there are times when the earth will be closest to the sun (Perihelion) and other times when the earth will be farthest away from the sun (Aphelion). These two processes happen each year.

“It is logical to assume that the earth will be hotter during perihelion and colder during aphelion. However, this is not the case. The heat from the sun does not differ much during these periods,” Asamoah said. 

He also emphasised that aphelion lasts for only a day, which was 4 July,  contrary to the claim suggesting it will last till 22 August. 

Why is it cold in Ghana?

Asamoah further explained that August is the coldest month in Ghana, which is not a discovery. He mentioned some factors that affect Ghana’s cold weather conditions in July and August and highlighted that the factors influencing this season are favourable for fisherfolks.

“In August, there are low sea surface temperatures over the Gulf of Guinea, as deep cold water rises to the surface of the sea. This water is full of nutrients; fishes move from the bottom of the sea to the surface around this time, a process known as ‘Upwelling.’ There is also a cold current in the Atlantic Ocean (Benguela current). High pressures build up over the Atlantic while low pressures develop over West and North Africa. As a result, winds move from the Atlantic to feed the low-pressure areas in West and North Africa. As the winds move, they carry the cold conditions from the Benguela and Gulf of Guinea through Ghana before feeding the low-pressure centres. This accounts for the cool conditions around this time,” Asamoah said. 

Source: Weather Spark

Will this be the coldest year yet?

Asamoah continued by detailing that the cool temperature during this period varies per year, and contrary to the claim, this year is not the coldest compared to previous years. He adds that the cold situation is not a result of climate change since Ghana is considered a tropical zone.

“Because the winds from the ocean are moist, they help in cloud formation over Ghana. Most parts of the day remain cloudy with few breaks of sunshine. As a result of the clouds, the rays from the sun are reflected and do not reach the earth’s surface. This also leads to the lower temperatures recorded around this time. These conditions happen each year. However, variations in the conditions over the Gulf and Benguela currents affect the formation of clouds over Ghana and lead to variations in the temperature recorded around July and August each year. Aphelion and Perihelion may indirectly affect seasons but are not the cause of the seasons. Because the earth’s axis is tilted at an angle, it gets more or less of the sun’s rays at different times. This leads to the seasons. The cold temperatures depend on other factors, and it’s normal around late July and August. Still, the severity may vary yearly due to the intensification or weakening of these conditions,’’ Asamoah explained. 

Does aphelion affect flu-like symptoms? 

Asamoah indicated no proven correlation between the aphelion phenomenon and flu-like symptoms.

Similarly, astronomers have confirmed to other fact-checkers that aphelion has no proven effect on the earth’s temperature and human health, as has also been debunked here

DUBAWA spoke to two health experts practising in the northern and southern parts of Ghana, and both confirmed that there is, however, a rise in flu-like reported cases during July and August in Ghana. 

A medical doctor at Tantra Hospital in the Greater Accra Region in Accra, Dr Senyo Misroame, said that flu and cough are prevalent during this season. 

Also, a  medical doctor at the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga, Dr Kasule Iddrisu Yakubu, explained the spike in flu and cough during the period.

“When it is cold, viruses live longer and mature faster because the air is less humid outside. Also, since it is windy during this period, Aerodrops such as saliva from sneezing and coughing have an easier transmission mode,” he said. 

Conclusion

The Facebook posts attributing the aphelion phenomenon to the cold breeze blowing in Ghana are false. The claim that the aphelion phenomenon is expected to last till 22 August with flu-like health implications is also false. However, there is a rise in flu-like symptoms during the cold season in Ghana. Aphelion happens once a year and happened on 4 July  2022 this year. In Ghana, low sea temperatures carrying moist and forming clouds cause cool weather during July and August annually. 

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