The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast predicting widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Monday through Wednesday. The agency, in its outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, warned of possible flash floods in some states and urged residents to take precautionary measures.
According to NiMet, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected on Monday morning over parts of Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba states. Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate intensity are forecast across much of the northern region, with flash floods particularly likely in Adamawa, Taraba, and Gombe. The central region will experience a cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine in the morning, followed by moderate rainfall in Niger, Kogi, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Benue. Similar weather conditions are expected later in the day.
In the southern states, Monday morning will bring cloudy skies, with moderate rains anticipated in Ekiti, Ondo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. The afternoon and evening are expected to see moderate rains spread across most parts of the region.
NiMet projected that Tuesday would bring a mix of cloudy skies and sunshine across the northern states in the morning, followed by isolated thunderstorms and moderate rains over Borno, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba, and Adamawa. By afternoon, thunderstorms are likely over Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Taraba. In the central region, early morning cloudiness with sunshine intervals will give way to thunderstorms and moderate rainfall in Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Benue, and the FCT. Southern states including Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Delta will also see cloudy skies in the morning, with light to moderate rainfall expected later in the day.
On Wednesday, cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are forecast in the north during the morning, with slim chances of thunderstorms and light rainfall in Sokoto and Zamfara. By afternoon, more intense thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected across Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto. The central region will start with light rain in the FCT, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger, before heavier thunderstorms develop later in Benue, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger. The southern region will also experience cloudy skies in the morning, transitioning to moderate rains in the afternoon and evening.
The agency advised residents to adopt safety measures to reduce risks during storms. Motorists were urged to avoid driving in heavy rainfall, while farmers were cautioned against applying fertilisers or pesticides immediately before rainfall to prevent nutrient leaching. NiMet further advised households to secure loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances, and avoid sheltering under tall trees during thunderstorms.
Airline operators were reminded to obtain airport-specific weather updates for effective flight planning and passenger safety. The agency also encouraged residents to follow real-time weather updates via its official website, www.nimet.gov.ng, and other communication channels.
With the forecast pointing to three days of unsettled weather nationwide, NiMet emphasized the importance of preparedness to minimize disruptions to daily life and prevent avoidable disasters such as flooding and property damage.
