The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a warning to pilots, passengers, and the general public to be on the lookout for thunderstorms and other hazardous meteorological occurrences as the rainy season begin in various regions of the country.
According to a press release issued yesterday by the agency’s General Manager, Public Relations, Muntari Ibrahim, the forecasted thunderstorm is consistent with the agency’s 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction.
For the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction, NiMet predicted that rainfall would begin earlier than the long-term average in most parts of the country.
All of these pose substantial risks to the safety of people and property.
Thunderstorms provide a greater risk to the aviation industry, notably aircraft operations, and passengers. Thunderstorms can also cause flight delays, diversion, and cancellations because planes are frequently grounded in severe weather.”
Weather monitoring systems, thunder detectors, satellite receiving ground stations, and Automated Weather Systems (AWS) have been established across airports and other stations nationally as part of measures to limit the effects of thunderstorms on the aviation industry, according to the Agency.
The Agency also noted that it had created several products and services to aid in the tracking of thunderstorms and their associated threats.
It was stated that the pilot briefing rooms are always open for business.
The organization recommended pilots and airline operators exercise caution during flight operations owing to the start of the rainy season.
