NiMet forecasts three days of thunderstorms, moderate rains cross Nigeria

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast widespread cloudiness, thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across several parts of the country from Wednesday through Friday, warning residents to take precautions against strong winds and adverse weather conditions.

In its three-day weather outlook released in Abuja, the agency predicted patches of clouds over northern states 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 thunderstorms would later extend to Kaduna and other parts of the North-East as the day progresses.

For the North-Central region, the agency forecast cloudy conditions with chances of thunderstorms and light rainfall over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau and Nasarawa states in the morning. By afternoon and evening, moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is expected in parts of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau and the FCT.

In the southern region, NiMet predicted cloudy skies with light rainfall over parts of the South-South in the morning, 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 said northern states including Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe would experience morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall, with the weather system expected to spread across most parts of the region later in the day.

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NiMet also forecast thunderstorms and moderate rainfall throughout Thursday across the North-Central zone, while parts of Ondo and the South-South are expected to receive moderate rainfall, extending to the South-East later in the day.

For Friday, the agency predicted morning thunderstorms with rainfall over parts of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states, followed by moderate rainfall and thunderstorms across the entire northern region in the afternoon and evening.

The North-Central region is expected to experience cloudy conditions with light rainfall over parts of Nasarawa and Benue in the morning before moderate rainfall spreads across the region later in the day.

In the South, cloudy skies are expected over the South-South states with light rainfall in the morning, while moderate rainfall is forecast for parts of Ondo, Oyo, Enugu, Imo, the South-East and the South-South later in the day.

NiMet warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms in affected areas and advised residents to secure loose objects to prevent damage.

The agency also urged motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall, advised residents to unplug electrical appliances during storms, and warned people to stay away from tall trees to reduce the risk of injury from falling branches.

It further advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet to aid flight planning and ensure safe operations.

The agency encouraged the public to monitor regular weather updates and follow safety advisories throughout the forecast period.