NiMet Forecasts Three Days of Sunshine, Thunderstorms, Warns of Flash Flooding in Southern States
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast a mix of sunshine, cloudiness and thunderstorms across the country from Sunday to Tuesday, warning residents, particularly in the southern coastal states, to brace for possible flash flooding and severe weather conditions.
In its three-day weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency predicted predominantly sunny skies with patches of clouds across the northern region on Sunday, while thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall are expected in parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna states during the morning.
Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected over Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba states.
For the North Central region, NiMet forecast morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over parts of Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with similar weather conditions expected to spread to Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and the FCT during the afternoon and evening.
In the southern region, moderate rainfall is expected on Sunday morning over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa states before extending across the entire region later in the day.
On Monday, the agency predicted morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall in parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa and Taraba, while afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected across Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba and Adamawa states.
NiMet also forecast morning thunderstorms for parts of Niger, Kwara and the FCT, with moderate rainfall expected across the North Central region later in the day. In the South, light rainfall is anticipated in parts of Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers states before moderate rainfall spreads across the region.
For Tuesday, the agency said partly cloudy skies are expected over the northern states, with chances of light morning thunderstorms in parts of Bauchi, Jigawa and Yobe, while moderate thunderstorms are expected across the region later in the day.
The North Central is expected to experience sunny skies with patches of clouds in the morning, followed by thunderstorms with moderate rainfall in the afternoon and evening.
In the South, NiMet forecast cloudy conditions with light morning rainfall over parts of Edo, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers, while thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected across the region later in the day.
The agency advised residents to take precautionary measures, noting that strong winds could precede rainfall in areas likely to experience thunderstorms.
NiMet particularly warned that the persistent rainfall expected across the southern coastal states could trigger flash flooding, urging motorists and residents to avoid driving or walking through flooded areas.
The agency also advised Nigerians to secure loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms, and stay away from tall trees to reduce the risk of injuries from falling branches or uprooted trees.
It further urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet to aid flight planning, while encouraging the public to stay updated through the agency’s regular weather forecasts.