The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of the country between Monday and Wednesday, with strong winds expected to precede storms in some locations.
In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency predicted varying degrees of rainfall across the northern, North-Central and southern regions during the three-day period.
For Monday, thunderstorms with light rain are expected in parts of Taraba and Kebbi during the morning, while scattered thunderstorms and moderate rainfall are forecast across parts of the North-East, Kaduna, Taraba and Kebbi later in the day.
The North-Central region is also expected to experience thunderstorms, beginning with light rain over parts of Niger State in the morning before moderate rainfall spreads across most parts of the region in the afternoon or evening.
Southern states are expected to have cloudy conditions on Monday morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain affecting parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. More thunderstorms accompanied by light rain are expected later in the day.
The unsettled weather is expected to continue on Tuesday. NiMet forecast patches of cloud across the northern region in the morning, with thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Taraba. By the afternoon or evening, moderate rainfall is expected across most parts of the region.
In the North-Central, partly cloudy conditions are expected in the morning, followed by thunderstorms and moderate rain in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states.
Southern areas are also expected to remain largely cloudy, with thunderstorms and light rain forecast over parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and the South-South later in the day.
NiMet’s forecast for Wednesday indicates another day of widespread thunderstorms. Parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba are expected to experience thunderstorms and moderate rainfall during the morning.
Similar conditions are forecast across much of the northern region later in the day. The North-Central region is also expected to see isolated thunderstorms in parts of the FCT, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa before moderate rainfall spreads across most areas.
Across the South, cloudy skies are expected in the morning, followed by thunderstorms and moderate rain over most parts later in the day.
With strong winds potentially accompanying the storms, NiMet urged residents to secure loose objects and take precautions. It advised motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall and warned people to stay away from tall trees because of the risk of falling branches.
The agency also advised residents to disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms and urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports for flight planning.
NiMet encouraged the public to remain updated through its official weather advisories.
