The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast cloudy skies, thunderstorms and varying degrees of rainfall across Nigeria from Wednesday to Friday, with a risk of flash flooding in five states.

In its weather outlook released in Abuja on Tuesday, the agency identified Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River as areas with a high possibility of flooding during the forecast period.

NiMet also warned that strong winds could occur ahead of thunderstorms in affected areas and advised residents to take precautions.

For Wednesday, the agency predicted patches of cloud over the northern region, with morning thunderstorms and light rain expected in parts of Taraba and Kebbi.

Later in the day, moderate thunderstorms were expected across parts of Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna states.

In the North-Central, morning thunderstorms with light rain were forecast over parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory, followed by moderate rainfall across most parts of the region in the afternoon or evening.

Southern states were expected to experience generally cloudy conditions, with morning rainfall possible in parts of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom. Moderate rains were expected over much of the region later in the day.

For Thursday, NiMet forecast cloudy conditions and morning thunderstorms with light rain over parts of Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna in the North.

The agency expected moderate thunderstorms across Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba later in the day.

The North-Central region was expected to have sunny conditions interspersed with clouds, while morning thunderstorms and light rain were possible in parts of the FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger and Benue. Moderate rainfall was forecast across the region later in the day.

In the South, light morning rainfall was expected over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, with rain expected to persist across most areas later in the day.

On Friday, NiMet predicted partly cloudy conditions across the North, with morning thunderstorms and moderate rainfall likely over Taraba and Adamawa.

By afternoon or evening, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains were expected across Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa and Taraba states.

The North-Central region was forecast to experience sunny weather with patches of clouds, alongside possible morning thunderstorms and light rain over parts of the FCT, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger.

Most parts of the central region were expected to receive moderate rainfall later in the day.

For the South, NiMet predicted cloudy conditions and moderate morning rainfall in parts of Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, with moderate rains expected across most of the region later.

The agency urged residents in areas prone to thunderstorms to secure loose objects because of the possibility of strong winds.

It also advised motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall and urged residents to disconnect electrical appliances from power sockets during storms.

NiMet further advised people to keep away from tall trees because of the risk of falling branches and urged states facing possible flash floods to activate emergency response measures.

Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet to support flight planning, while members of the public were encouraged to stay updated through the agency’s weather advisories.