The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted widespread thundery and rainy weather activities across the country from Friday through Sunday, warning of possible flooding in some southern states.
In its weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja, NiMet said isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Taraba States during the morning hours of Friday. Later in the day, storms are also anticipated over Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and other northern states.
For the central region, NiMet projected a cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals on Friday morning, with chances of light rainfall over Niger, Kogi, and Benue States. Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected later in the day over Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara, Benue, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency also warned of intermittent moderate rainfall across most parts of the southern region throughout the forecast period, with a high risk of flooding in Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.
On Saturday, NiMet said northern states such as Taraba, Adamawa, southern Borno, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kano, and Katsina should expect isolated thunderstorms and moderate rains later in the day. The central region will experience light rains in the morning over Kogi and Benue, followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. In the south, Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom are expected to record light to moderate rains throughout the day.
By Sunday, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected in the north, with light rains in Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina in the morning, followed by isolated thunderstorms later in the day. The central region will experience thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening over Abuja, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue States, while the southern states including Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom will record moderate rainfall.
NiMet advised motorists to avoid driving under heavy rain, while farmers were urged to refrain from applying fertilizer or pesticides just before rainfall to prevent nutrient leaching. Residents were also cautioned to fasten loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances during storms, and stay away from tall trees to avoid falling branches.
Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports for effective planning, while the general public was encouraged to stay informed through regular NiMet updates.