The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across various parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday, urging the public to take necessary precautions.
In its three-day weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet revealed that parts of the North, North-central, and Southern regions will be affected by morning and evening rainstorms over the period. The agency also warned that strong winds may precede the storms, posing risks to lives and property.
On Monday, thunderstorms are expected in the morning over parts of Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, and Kano, while more rain is anticipated later in the day in Taraba, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
In the North-central, areas including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, and Nasarawa will see early rainfall, with Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, and Benue expected to experience showers in the evening.
For the Southern region, cloudy skies and morning rain are forecast in Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, followed by rain showers later in the day in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Anambra, Enugu, Delta, and Bayelsa.
On Tuesday, early storms will affect Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and Taraba in the North, while evening storms are likely in Taraba, Kebbi, Borno, and Gombe.
Thunderstorms are expected across FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, and Plateau in the North-central and in parts of the South, including Ondo, Ogun, Abia, Rivers, and Cross River.
By Wednesday, the rains will persist, beginning in the morning across Zamfara, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Taraba, and extending to Katsina and Bauchi by evening. The FCT, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Benue are also expected to be hit.
Southern states, including Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom, will see morning showers, with more widespread rain across the entire southern region anticipated in the afternoon and evening.
NiMet urged Nigerians to fasten loose objects, stay indoors during storms, and avoid driving under heavy rain. It also advised residents to disconnect electrical appliances and avoid sheltering under tall trees.
Airline operators were specifically reminded to obtain airport-specific weather updates for safer operations.
NiMet concluded by encouraging the public to stay updated via its official website: www.nimet.gov.ng.
