The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms, cloudy skies and moderate rainfall across different parts of Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday.
The agency, in its latest weather outlook released in Abuja, said several parts of the country should expect unstable weather conditions during the three day period. For Monday, NiMet predicted patches of clouds across the northern region in the morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected in many areas later in the day. In the North Central region, cloudy weather is expected during the morning, followed by isolated thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger and Plateau states.
“Cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the entire North-Central region in the morning hours. “Isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over most parts of FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger and Plateau States later in the day,” the agency said.
The southern region is also expected to experience cloudy conditions on Monday, with light rainfall possible in parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River and Akwa Ibom. NiMet said moderate rainfall could occur intermittently across most parts of the region later in the day. The weather agency expects similar conditions on Tuesday, with morning thunderstorms and light rainfall forecast for parts of Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa states.
Thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall are expected across much of the northern region later in the day. In the North Central region, parts of Benue, Kogi, Plateau and Nasarawa are expected to record morning thunderstorms and light rainfall. More thunderstorms and moderate rainfall are expected across the region later in the day. Southern states are also expected to experience cloudy conditions and light rainfall in some areas. NiMet listed parts of Ebonyi, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom among the areas that could experience morning rainfall.
“By the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Ekiti, Osun, Ogun and Ondo states. “Others are Oyo, Edo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states,” it said.
For Wednesday, NiMet forecast morning thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across parts of Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states. It also expects cloudy conditions in the North Central region, with thunderstorms and light rainfall possible in parts of Nasarawa and Plateau states.
“By the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over most parts of the region,” it said.
Across the southern region, the agency forecast cloudy skies and intermittent light rainfall in some parts of the South East and coastal areas. Moderate rainfall is expected across the region later in the day.
“By the afternoon and evening hours, intermittent moderate rains are expected over the entire region,” the agency said.
NiMet warned that strong winds could occur before thunderstorms in affected areas. It advised residents to secure loose objects that could be blown away or damaged. The agency also urged motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall because of possible poor visibility and hazardous road conditions. Residents were advised to disconnect electrical appliances from power outlets during thunderstorms and avoid standing under tall trees because of the risk of falling branches. For the aviation sector, NiMet advised airline operators to obtain airport specific weather reports and flight documentation to support effective operational planning.
The agency’s forecast highlights the need for residents, motorists and other weather sensitive sectors to monitor updates throughout the three day period.
