The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has forecasted thunderstorms and rain across the country from Wednesday to Friday.
The weather outlook, which was released on Tuesday in Abuja, highlights significant weather activities in various regions.
According to NiMet, northern parts of Nigeria will experience thunderstorms on Wednesday morning, with areas such as Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kaduna States being affected.
As the day progresses, these weather conditions are expected to extend to other northern states, including Kano, Borno, Katsina, Adamawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Jigawa during the afternoon and evening hours.
The agency also forecasted that “In the North Central region, thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Niger states during the morning hours.” Later in the day, this region is expected to experience further thunderstorms in areas like the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.
In the southern part of the country, the morning hours will bring thunderstorms to Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
As the day unfolds, intermittent rains are predicted in states such as Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.
For Thursday, NiMet anticipates that Taraba and Adamawa States will continue to experience thunderstorms in the morning hours. Additionally, thunderstorms are expected later in the day over parts of Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States.
Regarding the North Central region, NiMet predicted “rains over parts of Plateau and Benue States during the morning hours.” Thunderstorms are also expected in the afternoon or evening in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, and Benue States.
In southern cities, intermittent rains are likely in Enugu and Anambra States during the morning, with further rainfall expected later in the day across Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta States.
Moving into Friday, the agency’s forecast indicates that the northern states of Adamawa and Taraba will again face thunderstorms in the morning. Later in the day, NiMet envisaged “thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara States.”
For North Central Nigeria, morning rains are expected over parts of Nasarawa and Niger States, followed by localized thunderstorms later in the day affecting Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, and Niger States.
The southern cities will experience cloudy conditions in the morning, with thunderstorms expected to develop later in the day over inland cities, accompanied by intermittent rains along the coastal areas.
NiMet has also issued warnings to residents, urging them to avoid flood-prone areas due to the potential for urban flooding in major cities as a result of heavy downpours. It further advised the public to take precautions, especially as “strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.”
The agency encouraged Nigerians to stay informed by checking weather updates on its official website and social media platforms. “The public are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,” the agency advised.
Additionally, airline operators were urged to obtain airport-specific weather reports to ensure effective flight planning. NiMet said, “Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.”
The agency’s warnings aim to minimize the risks associated with severe weather conditions and ensure public safety as the rainy season progresses.
