The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast cloudiness, thunderstorms and varying intensities of rainfall across different parts of the country from Wednesday to Friday, warning residents to take precautionary measures against possible hazards.

In its weather outlook released on Wednesday in Abuja, the agency predicted patches of clouds over the northern region on Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall expected in parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba and Adamawa states.

NiMet said the weather conditions are expected to intensify later in the day, with moderate rainfall likely over parts of Kaduna State and the entire North-East.

The agency also forecast cloudy conditions over the North-Central region, with chances of thunderstorms and light rainfall in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau and Nasarawa states during the morning.

According to the forecast, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall are expected later in the day over parts of Benue, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states.

For the southern region, NiMet predicted cloudy skies with light rainfall over parts of the South-South during the morning hours, while moderate rainfall is expected later in the day across parts of Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, the South-East and the South-South.

On Thursday, the agency forecast patches of clouds over the northern states, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected in parts of Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe during the morning, before extending to most parts of the region later in the day.

It also predicted a cloudy atmosphere across the North-Central region, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected throughout the day, while moderate rainfall is expected over parts of Ondo, the South-East and the South-South.

For Friday, NiMet forecast morning thunderstorms with rainfall over parts of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states, with moderate rainfall expected across much of the northern region later in the day.

The agency added that the North-Central region is likely to experience cloudy conditions with light rainfall over parts of Nasarawa and Benue in the morning, followed by moderate rainfall later in the day.

In the southern region, cloudy skies are expected, with light rainfall over the South-South in the morning and moderate rainfall later in the day across parts of Ondo, Oyo, Enugu, Imo, the South-East and the South-South.

NiMet warned that strong winds could precede rainfall in areas expected to experience thunderstorms and advised residents to fasten loose objects to prevent damage.

The agency also urged motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall, advised residents to disconnect electrical appliances from power sources during storms and cautioned against taking shelter under tall trees due to the risk of falling branches.

It further advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from the agency to aid flight planning and encouraged the public to stay updated with its regular weather forecasts.