The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has issued a three-day weather alert forecasting widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Saturday to Monday.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, NiMet warned of significant weather activities expected to impact the northern, central, and southern regions.
According to the agency, early morning thunderstorms are expected in parts of Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa States. As the day progresses, these storms are projected to intensify, affecting additional areas including Borno, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi.
“In the North-Central region, early morning thunderstorms are expected over parts of Benue, Plateau, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, and Nasarawa States,” NiMet stated.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Kwara, Kogi, and Plateau States.”
In the southern region, a cloudy morning with isolated rainfall is likely in Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States. Thunderstorms and rain are expected later in the day across Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers.
NiMet anticipates continued storm activity on Sunday. Morning thunderstorms are likely in Kaduna, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba, followed by widespread rainfall in Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Gombe, and Bauchi in the afternoon.
In the central region, “patches of clouds with sunshine intervals with prospects of early morning thunderstorms likely to affect parts of Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory,” are forecasted.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau States.”
The South will also experience a continuation of stormy conditions, beginning with morning thunderstorms in Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, extending to most parts of the region as the day advances.
The weather pattern is expected to persist into Monday. Early morning thunderstorms are forecasted in Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba, with later occurrences in Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Gombe, Kaduna, and Bauchi.
For the North-Central region, NiMet predicts “patches of clouds with sunshine intervals… with prospects of thunderstorms with rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, and Niger States.”
“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Benue, and Kogi States in the afternoon or evening hours,” the forecast added.
In the South, the day is expected to begin with a cloudy atmosphere and chances of morning rain in Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Delta, and Bayelsa. This will be followed by widespread thunderstorms and rain across most southern states later in the day.
NiMet urged Nigerians to remain alert, warning that “strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.”
The agency also advised citizens to take necessary precautions:
“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.”
In addition, airline operators were advised to ensure proper planning:
“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.”
