NiMet forecasts widespread rain and thunderstorms across Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday.
The agency warns of possible flash floods and urges residents and motorists to take safety precautions.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a forecast of widespread rain and thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday.
In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet said isolated thunderstorms with light rain are likely on Monday morning in parts of Adamawa and Taraba. Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over Kaduna, Gombe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Bauchi, southern Borno and Taraba.
For the central region, the agency predicted cloudy skies with sunny breaks and possible thunderstorms over Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger and nearby areas in the morning. “Isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over most parts of the region during the afternoon and evening,” the forecast stated.
NiMet also projected a cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals across the southern states. Morning thunderstorms with light rain are likely in Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, while moderate rain is expected later in the day.
On Tuesday, the agency forecast more cloudy skies in the north, with isolated thunderstorms in Taraba and Adamawa during the morning and a wider spread of storms later in the afternoon and evening across Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Adamawa, Zamfara and Taraba. For the central region, light morning rain is expected over the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue and Niger, with heavier rainfall likely later in the day.
In the south, thunderstorms and moderate rain are anticipated in Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. NiMet also warned of flash floods in parts of Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
For Wednesday, the agency predicted cloudy conditions with sunshine intervals and light rain in the morning over Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa and Taraba. Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with light rain are expected in most parts of the north. Plateau and Nasarawa in the central region may experience moderate morning rainfall, while other areas could see light afternoon showers. Southern states including Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River are likely to have light morning rains followed by moderate thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.
NiMet urged states at risk of flash floods to activate emergency response plans and advised motorists to drive carefully during rainstorms. It also recommended that farmers avoid applying fertilizer or pesticides immediately before rainfall, secure loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances and avoid standing under tall trees.
“Airline operators are advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” the agency added. Residents were encouraged to stay informed by checking regular weather updates on NiMet’s website.
