Thunderstorms and rain are expected across the nation from Wednesday to Friday, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
According to NiMet’s weather prediction, which was made public on Tuesday in Abuja, thunderstorms were predicted to occur early on Wednesday in the northern area over portions of Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kaduna States.
NiMet reports that in the afternoon and evening, thunderstorms are predicted over portions of the states of Jigawa, Borno, Katsina, Adamawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara, and Kebbi.
“Thunderstorms are expected in the North Central region over sections of the Federal Capital Territory, Nassarawa, and Niger states in the morning.
“Thunderstorms are expected later today over sections of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara states.
“In the southern region, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours,” according to the advisory.
Rain is expected to fall intermittently in Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states later today.
NiMet reports that thunderstorms are predicted to pass over portions of Taraba and Adamawa States in the northern area early in the morning.
Later in the day, thunderstorms were predicted to pass over portions of Taraba, Adamawa, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Kano states. Rain is predicted to fall in the morning hours over portions of the Plateau and Benue States in the North Central area.
“Thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon/evening hours in sections of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, and Benue states.
“In the southern cites, intermittent rains are anticipated over parts of Enugu and Anambra States during the morning hours,” according to the announcement.
NiMet predicted sporadic showers in Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta states later in the day.
The agency predicted thunderstorms over sections of Adamawa and Taraba States in the northern area on Friday morning.Later in the day, thunderstorms were expected to hit Taraba, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states.
According to NiMet, rain is forecast in areas of Nasarawa and Niger throughout the morning hours in the North Central region.
“Localised thunderstorms are likely later in the day over sections of Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, and Niger states.
“In the southern cities, cloudy skies are forecast in the morning.
Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected across inland towns, with intermittent precipitation over coastal cities,” the report stated. It encouraged inhabitants to avoid flood-prone locations, citing a high risk of urban flooding in major cities owing to heavy rain.
In locations where thunderstorms are likely to occur, high winds may precede the rain; the public should take appropriate precautions and heed safety recommendations issued by appropriate authorities. This is according to NiMet.
“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” the company stated.
Bottom Line
Thunderstorms and rain will impact both northern and southern parts of the country, with states like Adamawa, Taraba, Katsina, and Kaduna facing multiple rounds of storms. This can lead to localized flooding and disruption, especially in urban areas.
NiMet’s advisory mentions the high risk of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy rainfall.
This is particularly critical given Nigeria’s history of flooding during the rainy season, which has caused significant damage to infrastructure and displaced many residents.
