The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast warning Nigerians to prepare for thunderstorms and rainfall across many states from Monday to Wednesday. According to NiMet, strong winds may occur before thunderstorms, prompting safety warnings for residents. The agency released the weather outlook on Sunday in Abuja and advised Nigerians to stay alert as the changing weather could affect travel, electricity, and outdoor activities.
NiMet predicts thunderstorms and rainfall across many Nigerian states from Monday to Wednesday, with Northern, North-Central, and Southern states expected to experience varying levels of rainfall during the three-day period. On Monday, residents in parts of Taraba and Kebbi states should expect thunderstorms with light rainfall in the morning. As the day progresses, more states across the North-East, including parts of Kaduna, Taraba, and Kebbi, are expected to experience scattered thunderstorms with moderate rainfall.
In the North-Central region, only parts of Niger State are expected to receive light morning rainfall before thunderstorms spread across most parts of the region later in the day. In southern Nigeria, Monday morning will mostly be cloudy, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain expected in parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. More thunderstorms with light rain are expected across the region later in the day.
On Tuesday morning, NiMet expects patches of cloud over northern Nigeria, while parts of Taraba State could experience thunderstorms and light rain. By afternoon and evening, moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is expected in most parts of the northern states. For the North-Central region, partly cloudy skies are expected during the morning hours, with thunderstorms and moderate rain expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, and Plateau States.
Southern states are also expected to experience mostly cloudy weather in the morning before thunderstorms and light rainfall affect parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, and several states in the South-South. By Wednesday morning, NiMet predicts partly cloudy skies across northern Nigeria, but thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected in parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba.
The rain is then expected to spread to most northern states later in the day. For the North-Central region, isolated thunderstorms and light rain are expected in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Niger, and Nasarawa before moderate rainfall extends to many areas. Southern Nigeria is also expected to experience cloudy skies in the morning, followed by widespread thunderstorms and moderate rainfall later in the day.
NiMet has issued a safety warning, advising Nigerians to secure loose objects around their homes to prevent damage from strong winds that could precede thunderstorms. Motorists were also warned against driving during heavy rainfall because of poor visibility and flooded roads. The agency further advised residents to disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms and avoid taking shelter under tall trees.
Key points
- NiMet warns of thunderstorms and rainfall across many Nigerian states from Monday to Wednesday.
- Strong winds may occur before thunderstorms, prompting safety warnings for residents.
- NiMet advises Nigerians to take precautions and monitor weather updates regularly.
