By Atoyebi Adenike
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast indicating thunderstorms and varying cloudiness across the country over a three-day period beginning Wednesday.
In a weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja, NiMet said morning thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday in parts of Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are also predicted across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Taraba.
For the North-Central region, the agency forecast localised morning thunderstorms in Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), followed by afternoon and evening storms in Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Plateau, and the FCT.
In the South, morning thunderstorms are expected in Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom. Thunderstorms are likely to spread to most areas later in the day.
On Thursday, NiMet forecast morning thunderstorms in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, while Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Gombe, and Bauchi are expected to experience afternoon thunderstorms.
The North-Central zone will experience mostly sunny skies, with isolated thunderstorms anticipated in Benue, Kogi, and Kwara.
By Friday, morning thunderstorms are expected in Adamawa, Taraba, and Kaduna, with continued storm activity in the same areas later in the day. The North-Central states will see sunny skies mixed with clouds, and localized afternoon thunderstorms in Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT, Benue, and Kogi.
NiMet also warned of strong winds that may precede thunderstorms and advised the public to secure loose objects, avoid driving during heavy rains, disconnect electrical appliances during storms, and stay away from tall trees to avoid lightning hazards.
“Airline operators are advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for safe flight planning,” the agency added. It urged residents to stay informed by following updates via its official channels and website at www.nimet.gov.ng.