NiMet Forecasts Widespread Rain, Thunderstorms Across Nigeria From Monday to Wednesday
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather outlook predicting widespread thundery and rainy conditions across the country from Monday through Wednesday.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency said thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected on Monday morning over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe States. Later in the day, storms are forecast to extend to Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Adamawa, Taraba, and Borno.
In the central region, light morning rains are likely in Plateau and Niger States, followed by thunderstorms with moderate rainfall in Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by afternoon and evening.
For the southern region, NiMet projected cloudy skies in the morning with light rains over Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
By afternoon and evening, light rains are anticipated in Abia, Edo, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
On Tuesday, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected in the morning across Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Borno, Yobe, and Kebbi States. In the afternoon and evening, more thunderstorms are forecast in Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, and Zamfara.
The central states will experience cloudy skies with light morning rains in Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, and the FCT, while widespread thunderstorms are expected later in the day. In the south, light rains are likely in Cross River and Akwa Ibom in the morning, followed by moderate rainfall across Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Abia, Imo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
For Wednesday, NiMet forecast cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine in the northern region, with morning rains over parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kaduna States. Thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected later across much of the region. In the central states, light rains are anticipated in Niger, Kwara, and the FCT in the morning, with thunderstorms expected later in Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, and the FCT. The southern region is projected to experience moderate rainfall throughout the day across most parts.
The agency advised the public to take necessary precautions. Motorists were urged to avoid driving during heavy rains, while farmers were cautioned against applying fertilisers or pesticides before rainfall to prevent nutrient loss.
NiMet also warned against seeking shelter under trees during storms, advised households to secure loose objects against wind hazards, and recommended warm clothing for vulnerable individuals due to expected low night-time temperatures. It further urged airline operators to obtain updated, airport-specific forecasts for effective flight planning.
