By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned of widespread dust haze and thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday, urging the public to take appropriate safety precautions.
In its weather outlook issued Sunday in Abuja, NiMet said slight dust haze will affect parts of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, and sections of Kaduna State on Monday, while other northern areas will remain sunny. Isolated thunderstorms are expected in southern Taraba later in the day, with the central region experiencing sunny skies and patches of clouds. Benue and Kogi may also record isolated thunderstorms.
In the South, cloudy skies and chances of light morning showers are expected, with late morning thunderstorms predicted in parts of Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos. Moderate rainfall could follow in some southwestern and southeastern states by evening.
NiMet added that thunderstorms and moderate rains are likely on Monday evening across Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta.
For Tuesday, the agency forecasts sunny and hazy conditions in the North, isolated thunderstorms in southern Taraba, and cloudy skies across central states with possible storms in Kogi, Benue, and Kwara. The South will begin with morning clouds in Ogun, Lagos, and Cross River, followed by afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
Affected areas include Ogun, Edo, Enugu, Ondo, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta.
On Wednesday, NiMet expects sunny conditions across the North and central states, with thunderstorms developing later in some areas. Light rain and isolated thunderstorms may occur in Kwara, Benue, and Kogi, while the South will see morning clouds over Cross River, Rivers, and Delta before moderate thunderstorms spread across coastal and inland areas.
States likely to experience thunderstorms on Wednesday include Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
NiMet urged motorists to drive carefully under rain and haze due to reduced visibility, and advised people with respiratory conditions to limit exposure to dust. It also encouraged airline operators to obtain detailed weather updates to avoid delays.
