The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted widespread thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday, according to a weather outlook released on Sunday.
On Monday, NiMet forecasts thunderstorms in parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Borno states, with the storms expected to spread later in the day to Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara are also expected to experience thunderstorms in the morning.
Isolated thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon and evening over Kwara, the FCT, Niger, Benue, and Kogi. Rainfall is expected in southwestern inland states, including Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun, as well as coastal regions like Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa during the morning hours. By afternoon, thunderstorms could hit Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Abia, Osun, Imo, Ekiti, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Lagos.
For Tuesday, morning thunderstorms are expected over Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, and Zamfara, extending into the day for Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe, and Adamawa. The FCT, Niger, Benue, and Nasarawa will likely experience storms in the morning, with afternoon storms expected in Plateau and Kwara.
Southern states, including Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers, will see morning rain, followed by cloudy conditions. Thunderstorms will develop later in Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
On Wednesday, NiMet predicts thunderstorms in Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi in the morning, with isolated storms later in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina. North Central states will experience mostly cloudy weather, though thunderstorms are likely in parts of Niger and Kwara, with afternoon storms forecast for the FCT, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue.
Morning rain is expected in Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, with thunderstorms developing later across Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, and Delta.
NiMet has cautioned the public to avoid flood-prone areas due to the risk of urban flooding caused by heavy rains.
The agency also warned of strong winds accompanying the thunderstorms and urged residents to follow safety guidelines. Airline operators are advised to stay updated with NiMet’s weather information for safe operations.
