The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a warning of severe heat stress in Kano and 17 other Northern states, forecasting soaring temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius beginning Saturday, April 12.
The warning was contained in NiMet’s latest weather outlook released on Friday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Saturday by the Meteorological Manager for Gombe State, Gayus Musa.
According to the report, the states expected to be affected alongside Kano include Gombe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
“After three days of rainfall, discomfort levels are set to rise from April 12 due to high temperatures and clear skies,” the statement read. “Maximum temperatures in the north are reaching up to 40°C; with clear skies and moisture in the air, heat and discomfort will be more intense.”
NiMet cautioned that the extreme heat, coupled with high humidity, could pose significant health risks to residents, especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
Musa advised residents to take preventive measures by staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.), wearing breathable clothing, and staying in well-ventilated spaces.
He also called on stakeholders, health workers, and community leaders to raise awareness about the dangers of heat stress and encourage the adoption of safety measures.
NiMet urged the public to stay informed through official weather updates as the heat wave is expected to persist for several days.
