The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast cloudy skies, thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall across parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday.
The agency, in a weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, advised residents to take necessary precautions, particularly during periods of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
For Monday, NiMet predicted morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over parts of Adamawa, Kebbi and Taraba in the North, with most parts of the region expected to experience thunderstorms and moderate rain later in the day.
In the North-Central, light rain and thunderstorms were forecast over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Kwara states, particularly in the morning. Moderate rainfall was expected across most parts of the region in the afternoon or evening.
The southern region was expected to experience cloudy conditions, with light morning rain over parts of Ebonyi, Edo, Delta, Abia, Cross River, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa states. Light rainfall was also forecast over parts of the South-East, South-South and South-West later in the day.
On Tuesday, NiMet forecast partly cloudy skies across the North, with chances of thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Adamawa, Sokoto and Kebbi. Taraba was also expected to record morning thunderstorms with light rainfall.
Later in the day, moderate thunderstorms were predicted over parts of Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The North-Central region was expected to have cloudy skies in the morning, followed by thunderstorms with moderate rainfall later in the day.
Across the South, cloudy skies were forecast, with chances of light morning rain over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom, while most parts of the region could experience light rainfall later in the day.
For Wednesday, the agency predicted partly cloudy conditions across the North, with chances of morning thunderstorms in Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms was expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa and Adamawa later in the day, while Taraba, Bauchi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina and Gombe were also forecast to experience heavy rains.
In the North-Central, NiMet predicted cloudy skies in the morning and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall later in the day.
The southern region was also expected to remain cloudy, with chances of light morning rain over parts of Imo, Abia, Rivers and Cross River. Akwa Ibom could also experience light morning rain, while heavy rainfall was expected across most parts of the region later in the day.
NiMet warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms and advised residents to secure loose objects to prevent accidents.
The agency also urged motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall, disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms and stay away from tall trees to reduce the risk of injuries from falling branches or trees.
It advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet to support effective flight planning.
The agency further urged residents to stay updated through regular weather forecasts and take appropriate precautions during periods of severe weather.