The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Monday through Wednesday, with strong winds expected to precede storms in some locations.
NiMet released the three-day weather outlook on Sunday in Abuja, urging residents to take precautions as varying levels of rainfall are expected across the northern, North-Central and southern parts of the country.
On Monday morning, thunderstorms accompanied by light rain are expected over parts of Taraba and Kebbi states in the northern region.
Later in the afternoon and evening, scattered thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected across parts of the North-East, Kaduna, Taraba and Kebbi states.
In the North-Central region, NiMet forecast thunderstorms with light rain over parts of Niger State during the morning hours before moderate rainfall is expected across most parts of the region later in the day.
The Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states are therefore among the areas that could experience changing weather conditions as the forecast period progresses.
Southern Nigeria is also expected to experience widespread cloudy conditions, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain forecast over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River on Monday morning.
NiMet expects thunderstorms accompanied by light rain to spread across the southern region later on Monday afternoon or evening.
The agency’s forecast for Tuesday indicates that the northern region will begin with patches of cloud, while parts of Taraba could experience thunderstorms and light rain during the morning.
By Tuesday afternoon or evening, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected across most parts of the northern region.
For the North-Central region, partly cloudy skies are expected in the morning, followed later by thunderstorms and moderate rainfall over parts of the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states.
In the southern region, mostly cloudy conditions are expected on Tuesday morning, followed by thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and the South-South.
The weather pattern is expected to continue into Wednesday, when partly cloudy conditions will dominate parts of the north alongside thunderstorms and moderate rainfall in several states.
NiMet listed Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba among the states expected to experience morning thunderstorms and moderate rain on Wednesday.
Most parts of the northern region could then experience additional thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall later in the day.
Across the North-Central region, isolated thunderstorms and light rain are expected over parts of the FCT, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa during the morning.
Moderate thunderstorms are then expected across most parts of the region later on Wednesday, according to the meteorological agency.
Southern states are also expected to remain cloudy on Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall forecast across most parts of the region later in the day.
NiMet warned that strong winds could accompany or precede thunderstorms in areas affected by the forecast, creating risks from loose objects, falling branches and other weather-related hazards.
The agency advised residents to secure loose objects around their homes and surroundings to reduce the possibility of damage or injury during periods of strong winds.
Motorists were also advised to avoid driving during heavy rainfall, particularly when visibility is poor or roads become difficult to navigate.
Residents were further advised to disconnect electrical appliances from sockets during thunderstorms as part of measures to reduce the risk of electrical damage and related accidents.
NiMet also urged people to stay away from tall trees during thunderstorms because strong winds can break branches or cause trees to fall.
Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports and flight documentation from NiMet to support effective operational planning during the period.
The latest forecast highlights the continuing need for residents, motorists and businesses to monitor official weather updates as rainfall and thunderstorms remain active across different parts of Nigeria.