NiMet said thunderstorms with moderate rainfall would affect parts of Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states in the morning before extending to most parts of the northern region later in the day
By Moses Okorie
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Wednesday to Friday, warning residents to brace for strong winds and other weather-related hazards.
In its three-day weather outlook issued in Abuja, the agency said northern states would experience patches of cloud with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall on Wednesday morning, particularly in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba and Adamawa states.
The forecast indicates that the weather system will intensify later in the day, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected to spread to Kaduna State and other parts of the North-East.
For the North-Central region, NiMet predicted cloudy skies with morning thunderstorms and light rainfall over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau and Nasarawa states.
As the day progresses, moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is expected over Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa and the FCT.
In the southern region, the agency forecast generally cloudy conditions with light rainfall over parts of the South-South in the morning, followed by moderate rainfall across Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, the South-East and South-South later in the day.
On Thursday, NiMet said thunderstorms with moderate rainfall would affect parts of Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states in the morning before extending to most parts of the northern region later in the day.
The agency also forecast persistent cloudy conditions and moderate rainfall across the North-Central states throughout Thursday, while residents of Ondo, the South-South and later the South-East should expect moderate rainfall.
By Friday, thunderstorms are expected to begin the day over parts of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states before spreading across the northern region.
The forecast also indicates that Nasarawa and Benue states may experience light rainfall during the morning, with more widespread thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected across the North-Central later in the day.
Cloudy skies are expected to persist across the South, with light morning showers over the South-South and moderate rainfall later over parts of Ondo, Oyo, Enugu, Imo and other states in the South-East and South-South.
NiMet warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms in affected areas and urged residents to secure loose objects to minimise the risk of damage.
The agency advised motorists to avoid driving during heavy downpours, encouraged residents to unplug electrical appliances during thunderstorms, and cautioned against taking shelter beneath tall trees because of the danger posed by falling branches and uprooted trees.
It also urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet to support safe and efficient flight operations, while advising the public to keep abreast of weather updates through the agency’s official platforms.