A significant weather alert has been issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, predicting a mix of sunshine and thunderstorms across the country from Saturday to Monday. According to NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Friday in Abuja, Saturday is expected to be sunny with patches of cloud, alongside chances of morning thunderstorms in parts of Taraba and Adamawa States. The agency also forecasts prospects of thunderstorms with rains in areas including Zamfara, Adamawa, Kebbi, Taraba, and Kaduna States later in the day.
The North-central region is anticipated to experience sunny skies with patches of clouds in the morning, accompanied by chances of isolated thunderstorms with rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Plateau, and Nasarawa States during the afternoon or evening hours. Simultaneously, the southern region is expected to have a cloudy atmosphere with prospects of morning rains over coastal areas of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States. Later in the day, rain showers are predicted over various states including Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Imo, Abia, Edo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
On Sunday, the northern region is forecasted to have sunny skies with patches of clouds in the morning, followed by isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, and Adamawa States later in the day. The North-central region is expected to be partly cloudy in the morning, with isolated thunderstorms and rains anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Niger States. The southern region is predicted to experience morning rain showers over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, with isolated rains expected in the afternoon and evening hours over several states.
For Monday, NiMet anticipates morning thunderstorms with rains over parts of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, and Gombe States. Thunderstorms with rains are also forecasted over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, and Zamfara States later in the day. The North-central region is expected to be cloudy in the morning, with isolated thunderstorms and rains anticipated over the entire region. Similarly, the southern region is predicted to have cloudy skies in the morning, followed by isolated rain showers over the entire region.
In light of these forecasts, NiMet urges the public to take necessary precautions. With strong winds predicted to precede rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely, ensuring loose objects are secured to avoid collision is crucial. Driving under heavy rain should be avoided, and electrical appliances should be disconnected from sockets. Residents are also advised to stay away from tall trees to avoid the impact of falling branches and broken trees. Airline operators are recommended to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective planning. The agency encourages residents to stay informed through their weather updates, available on their website at www.nimet.gov.ng.
