The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has forecast three days of cloudy conditions, thunderstorms and rainfall across different parts of the country from Wednesday through Friday, while warning residents in flood prone areas to remain alert.
According to the latest weather outlook released in Abuja, parts of northern Nigeria will experience cloudy skies on Wednesday, with morning thunderstorms and light rainfall expected in Taraba and Kebbi states. As the day progresses, moderate thunderstorms and rainfall are likely across Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna states.
For the North Central region, NiMet expects light morning thunderstorms over parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory. The weather is forecast to become more active later in the day, with moderate thunderstorms and rainfall expected across most parts of the region.
The agency also predicted cloudy conditions over southern Nigeria, with morning rainfall likely in Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states. More widespread moderate rainfall is expected across the region as the day advances.
Looking ahead to Thursday, NiMet said patches of clouds will persist across the northern states. Morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rain are expected in Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna, while moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast later in the day across Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states.
The North Central zone is expected to experience a mix of sunshine and cloud cover on Thursday morning, with light thunderstorms likely in the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger and Benue. By afternoon and evening, moderate thunderstorms and rainfall are expected to spread across much of the region.
In the South, light rainfall is forecast for parts of Ondo, Ogun, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River during the morning hours, with persistent rainfall expected in many areas later in the day.
NiMet also warned that there is a high risk of flooding in parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River during the forecast period and urged residents and emergency agencies in the affected states to remain vigilant.
On Friday, partly cloudy skies are expected across northern Nigeria, with morning thunderstorms likely in Taraba and Adamawa. As the day unfolds, moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa and Taraba states.
For the North Central region, sunny intervals mixed with cloudy conditions are anticipated, while light morning thunderstorms are expected in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger. Moderate rainfall is forecast across most parts of the region later in the day.
Southern states are also expected to experience cloudy weather, with moderate rainfall likely during the morning in Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River before spreading to many other locations as the day progresses.
The agency cautioned that strong winds could occur ahead of thunderstorms in affected areas and advised residents to secure loose objects to minimise damage. It also urged motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall, disconnect electrical appliances during storms and stay away from tall trees that could collapse because of strong winds.
NiMet further advised airline operators to obtain airport specific weather reports to aid flight planning and encouraged members of the public to monitor its regular weather updates for the latest information.
