The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast three days of rain and thunderstorms across the country, urging the public to take precautions.
In its weather outlook released on Wednesday in Abuja, NiMet said thunderstorms with moderate rains would affect parts of Yobe, Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States on Thursday morning, while other areas in the North-East would remain sunny with patches of clouds.
The agency projected afternoon and evening thunderstorms over Adamawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa and Yobe States.
For the central region, cloudy skies with sunny intervals are expected in the morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rains likely later in Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue and Niger States.
The southern region is forecast to experience cloudy skies with light rains in Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States in the morning, with moderate rains spreading across the region by evening.
On Friday, NiMet predicted thunderstorms in Adamawa, Gombe and Kaduna in the morning, extending to Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Borno, Zamfara and Taraba later in the day. The central region will also see widespread thunderstorms, while rains are expected across the South, intensifying in the afternoon and evening.
Saturday’s forecast shows morning thunderstorms in Taraba, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina and Kaduna, with more rain in Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe later. The central region, including the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, is also expected to record thunderstorms, while the South will have coastal rains in Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa in the morning and widespread moderate to heavy rains later.
NiMet warned that strong winds might precede the rains, urging the public to take safety measures.
“Ensure loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions. Driving under heavy rain should be avoided. Disconnect electrical appliances from sockets and stay away from tall trees to prevent accidents,” the agency advised.
It also urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports for planning, while residents were encouraged to stay updated through NiMet’s website (www.nimet.gov.ng).
