NIMET FORECASTS THREE DAYS OF THUNDERSTORMS, HEAVY RAIN ACROSS NIGERIA

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has forecast cloudy skies, thunderstorms and varying levels of rainfall across the country from Wednesday to Friday. The agency, in its weather outlook released in Abuja, said different parts of the North, North-Central and southern regions would experience thunderstorms and rain during the three-day period.

For Wednesday, NiMet predicted morning thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Taraba and Kebbi, with isolated thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected later across Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna. In the North-Central region, parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to experience morning thunderstorms before moderate rainfall develops later in the day.

The southern region is also expected to experience unsettled weather, with morning rainfall forecast for parts of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom. NiMet expects moderate rainfall across most parts of the region later on Wednesday. The agency also warned of a high possibility of flooding in parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River during the forecast period.

On Thursday, thunderstorms accompanied by light and moderate rains are expected across several northern and central states, including Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba. Parts of the FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger and Benue are also expected to record morning thunderstorms, while rainfall is expected to spread across the North-Central region later in the day. In the South, light morning rains are expected in parts of Ondo, Ogun, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, followed by more widespread rainfall.

For Friday, NiMet forecast further thunderstorms and moderate rains across several northern states, including Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa and Taraba. The agency warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms and advised residents to secure loose objects, avoid driving during heavy rainfall, disconnect electrical appliances and stay away from tall trees. It also urged authorities in areas at risk of flash floods to activate emergency response measures and encouraged residents to remain updated through official weather reports.