Nigeria Braces for Thunderstorms and Heavy Rains from Friday to Sunday
A powerful weather system is set to bring thunderstorms and heavy rains to Nigeria from Friday to Sunday, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned. The agency’s latest weather outlook, released on Thursday in Abuja, predicts thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of the country’s northern, central, and southern regions.
According to NiMet, the northern states of Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna will experience thunderstorms with moderate rains during the morning hours on Friday. The storms are expected to intensify in the afternoon and evening hours, bringing significant rainfall to the region.
In the central region, light rains are expected over Niger, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, and Plateau States. However, thunderstorms with moderate rains are predicted over Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory during the afternoon and evening hours.
The southern region will experience cloudy skies with chances of light rain over parts of Oyo, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Cross River States during the morning hours. Light rains are also expected over parts of Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States during the afternoon and evening hours.
NiMet also warned of thunderstorms on Saturday with moderate rain over parts of Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, and Taraba States in the northern region. The central region will experience cloudy skies with chances of light rain over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, Benue, and Kwara States.
On Sunday, thunderstorms with moderate rains are predicted over parts of Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, and Borno States in the northern region. The central region will experience cloudy skies with chances of light rain over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Benue States.
In light of the forecast, NiMet has urged the public to exercise caution and avoid driving under heavy rain. Farmers are also advised to refrain from applying fertilizer and pesticides right before the rain to avoid leaching of nutrients. Residents are also advised to ensure warm clothing for vulnerable persons due to low night-time temperatures, fasten loose objects to avoid collision, disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets, and stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.
Airline operators are also advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations. The agency has also urged residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet by visiting its website at www.nimet.gov.ng.
