The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Monday to Wednesday, warning of potential flooding in several states.
In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet predicted morning thunderstorms over the northern region on Monday, with moderate rainfall expected in parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States. Later in the day, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall are expected in Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba, and Adamawa.
The agency warned of a high risk of flooding in Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto during the forecast period.
In the central region, light morning rain is expected in parts of Niger State, while thunderstorms with light rainfall are anticipated later in the day over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and Kogi States. NiMet flagged Plateau, Nasarawa, and Niger as areas with a high likelihood of flooding.
Over the southern region, NiMet forecast cloudy skies with intermittent light rains expected in parts of Ebonyi, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom during the morning. Later in the day, moderate rainfall is predicted in Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom. There is also a high possibility of flooding in Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
For Tuesday, NiMet expects morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, and Kaduna. Thunderstorms are also forecast for Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Gombe later in the day.
The central region will see light morning rain in FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi, followed by thunderstorms with light rain later across FCT, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Kwara.
In the southern states, light morning rain is anticipated in Oyo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Lagos, and Bayelsa, with rainfall expected to persist across the region into the afternoon and evening.
By Wednesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected in Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, while the entire northern region is projected to experience thunderstorms later in the day.
In the central region, light morning rain is forecast in Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Plateau, with widespread thunderstorms expected in the afternoon and evening.
For the southern states, light morning rain is expected across Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Bayelsa, followed by continued rainfall later in the day.
NiMet issued a public advisory, urging caution during this period of intense weather. It warned motorists to avoid driving under heavy rain and advised states at risk of flash floods to activate emergency response systems. Farmers were also cautioned against applying fertilisers and pesticides shortly before rain to prevent nutrient leaching.
The agency advised vulnerable persons to wear warm clothing due to likely drops in night-time temperatures and encouraged residents to secure loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances, and stay away from tall trees to avoid injuries from falling branches or lightning.
Airline operators were reminded to obtain airport-specific weather forecasts from NiMet for effective flight planning. Citizens are urged to stay updated by visiting the agency’s website: www.nimet.gov.ng.
