The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted thunderstorms and rainfall across various parts of the country from Friday through Sunday.
In its weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja, NiMet predicts thunderstorms on Friday morning in areas such as Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Taraba, Jigawa, Gombe, and Bauchi States.
The agency also expects thunderstorms later in the day in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Adamawa, Jigawa, and Kano States.
“Thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Plateau States within the morning hours,” NiMet stated.
The forecast further anticipates thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening over the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Benue States. Morning rains are expected in Abia, Imo, Oyo, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, with additional rains forecasted for the afternoon in Enugu, Anambra, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.
For Saturday, NiMet anticipates morning thunderstorms in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, and Taraba States, with continued thunderstorms later in Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, and Katsina States. Morning thunderstorms are also expected in the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, and Niger States, while the afternoon may see similar weather in the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Niger States.
Additionally, Osun, Edo, Delta, and Lagos States can expect rain in the morning, with continued showers later in the day across Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti States, as well as coastal regions including Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
On Sunday, NiMet predicts isolated thunderstorms in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States during the morning, with further isolated thunderstorms later in Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi, and Kaduna States.
The North Central region is expected to experience cloudy skies with sunshine, with possible isolated thunderstorms in Niger State during the afternoon and evening. The South is expected to be mostly cloudy with chances of rain in parts of Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States during the afternoon and evening.
NiMet has also issued a caution to residents in major cities, warning of a high likelihood of flooding due to heavy rainfall. The agency advises the public to take necessary precautions, as strong winds may precede thunderstorms in some areas.
“Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities,” NiMet urged.
The agency also recommended that the public and airline operators stay informed by accessing up-to-date weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning.
“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,” the agency added.
