By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a national weather forecast warning of varied conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday, including sunny intervals, cloud cover, thunderstorms, and rainfall.
In its three-day outlook released Sunday in Abuja, NiMet said much of the northern region would experience predominantly sunny mornings with scattered cloud formations. However, isolated thunderstorms and moderate rainfall are anticipated in the afternoons and evenings across several northern states including Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, and Kaduna.
The central region is expected to start with partly sunny skies and light clouds in the early hours. Later in the day, thunderstorms and moderate rain are forecast across states such as Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Southern states are set for a wetter outlook, with morning rains projected in Akwa Ibom, followed by widespread thunderstorms and light to moderate rain in parts of Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Ekiti, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Cross River.
By Tuesday, NiMet said early thunderstorms and light showers are expected in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa, while other northern areas will see sun with scattered clouds. Moderate rainfall is forecast later in the day for Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
The central belt, including Benue, Niger, Plateau, Kogi, Kwara, and the FCT, will likely face thunderstorms and light rains in the morning, followed by moderate rainfall and more thunderstorms by afternoon and evening.
Southern Nigeria will continue to see cloudy conditions in the morning with the potential for heavier downpours in the afternoon and evening, especially in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
On Wednesday, light morning rainfall is expected in parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto, while other parts of the North will remain largely sunny with mild cloudiness. Later in the day, states such as Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto may experience moderate rains.
Central states are forecast to enjoy sunny intervals in the morning before transitioning to heavier rainfall and thunderstorms. Meanwhile, southern states will again see cloudy mornings leading into potentially intense rainfall and storms in the afternoon and evening.
NiMet has advised residents across the country to remain vigilant as thunderstorms may be accompanied by strong winds. Citizens are urged to secure loose outdoor objects, avoid driving during heavy downpours, disconnect electrical appliances during storms, and steer clear of tall trees.
The agency also cautioned airline operators to seek airport-specific weather information for safe flight operations.
