The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast predicting a mix of thunderstorms and rainfall across various parts of the country from Friday through Sunday.
In a statement released Thursday in Abuja, the agency outlined expected weather patterns across Nigeria’s regions:
Friday Forecast
- Northern Region: Morning thunderstorms with light to moderate rains are expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Gombe. Other areas will experience sunny skies with cloud patches.
By afternoon/evening, thunderstorms and moderate rains are likely in Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Taraba. - Central Region: Sunny skies with cloud patches in the morning, with chances of light rains over Plateau and Nasarawa. Light rains will extend later in the day to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Plateau, and Benue.
- Southern Region: Morning light rains are expected in Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. These may intensify into light rains across the region later in the day, covering Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Enugu.
Saturday Forecast
- Northern Region: Mostly sunny in the morning, with afternoon/evening thunderstorms and moderate rain over Adamawa, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Yobe, Taraba, Kaduna, and Bauchi.
- Central Region: Light rains in the morning across the FCT, Plateau, and Benue. By afternoon/evening, rainfall is expected in Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the FCT.
- Southern Region: Cloudy with morning rains over Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. Afternoon/evening rains are likely over Abia, Enugu, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom.
Sunday Forecast
- Northern Region: Predominantly sunny with patches of clouds. Thunderstorms are forecast for Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, and Kebbi in the morning, spreading to other parts by evening.
- Central Region: Light rains are expected in Nasarawa, Niger, the FCT, Kogi, Benue, and Kwara in the morning, with more widespread light to moderate rains later in the day.
- Southern Region: Mostly cloudy with light to moderate morning rains across Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa. These conditions are expected to persist into the afternoon and evening.
Public Advisory
NiMet warned of strong winds that may accompany thunderstorms and advised the public to take safety precautions:
- Secure loose outdoor objects to avoid wind-related hazards.
- Avoid driving during heavy downpours and stay away from tall trees.
- Disconnect electrical appliances during storms to prevent power surge damage.
- Airline operators are urged to obtain location-specific weather forecasts for flight planning.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated through NiMet’s weather alerts and advisories.