The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast a series of thunderstorms and rainfall events sweeping across Nigeria starting Saturday and continuing through Monday. The agency’s Friday bulletin from Abuja detailed early morning thunderstorms in northern states such as Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa on Saturday.
As the day progresses, thunderstorms with accompanying rains are expected to spread to Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi. The North-Central zone will experience early morning thunderstorms over Benue, Plateau, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Nasarawa. Afternoon thunderstorms and rains will extend to the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Kwara, Kogi, and Plateau states.
Southern Nigeria will witness a predominantly cloudy sky with morning rains across Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa. Later, isolated thunderstorms with rains will affect Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers.
Sunday’s forecast includes morning thunderstorms in northern states like Kaduna, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba, with afternoon thunderstorms and rains expected in Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Gombe, and Bauchi. The North-Central region will see early morning thunderstorms in Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and the FCT, with afternoon rains spreading across the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau.
Southern states will experience morning thunderstorms in Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, followed by isolated thunderstorms later in the day across many southern states.
Monday’s weather will bring morning thunderstorms to Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba. Afternoon rains and thunderstorms will affect Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Gombe, Kaduna, and Bauchi. The North-Central region will have partly cloudy skies with sunshine intervals and thunderstorms over the FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, and Plateau.
In the south, morning rains are expected in Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Delta, and Bayelsa, with isolated thunderstorms later on.
NiMet advised the public to fasten loose objects and avoid driving in heavy rain due to strong winds accompanying thunderstorms. “Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees,” the agency warned. Airline operators were also urged to obtain airport-specific weather reports for flight safety.
For continuous updates, residents should visit NiMet’s website at www.nimet.gov.ng.