The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather alert forecasting widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday.
In a statement released on Sunday evening in Abuja, NiMet said thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain are expected in several parts of the northern, central, and southern regions over the three-day period, urging Nigerians to take necessary precautions.
According to the forecast, Monday morning will bring thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall to parts of Yobe, Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi states, while other areas in the North will remain partly cloudy. By the afternoon and evening, thunderstorms are expected to develop over Adamawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, and Yobe.
The central region will experience cloudy skies with sunny intervals in the morning, followed by thunderstorms and rain later in the day across Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, and Niger states.
Over the South, light rain is expected in the morning hours in parts of Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states, with moderate rainfall extending into the afternoon and evening.
For Tuesday, NiMet predicts morning thunderstorms and moderate rain over Adamawa, Gombe, and Kaduna. Thunderstorms will continue later in the day across Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Borno, and Zamfara.
In the central region, Plateau and Nasarawa will see light to moderate rainfall in the morning, while most other areas are expected to receive heavier downpours in the afternoon and evening.
The South will again witness early morning rains in Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa, followed by heavier rainfall across the region by late afternoon.
By Wednesday, morning thunderstorms are expected in Taraba, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna. Later in the day, Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Borno, and Yobe are likely to be affected.
Central states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger will experience moderate rainfall and possible thunderstorms both in the morning and evening hours.
In the South, early morning coastal rains are likely in Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa, with moderate to heavy rainfall predicted for the entire southern region as the day progresses.
NiMet warned that strong winds may accompany the thunderstorms, posing potential risks. The agency advised residents to secure loose objects, avoid driving during heavy rainfall, unplug electrical appliances, and stay away from tall trees during storms.
It also urged airline operators to obtain detailed, location-specific weather updates from NiMet for flight planning, and encouraged the public to monitor updates via www.nimet.gov.ng.
