The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has issued a three-day weather outlook warning of dust haze and thunderstorms across several parts of the country between Monday and Wednesday, urging Nigerians to stay vigilant and observe safety measures.
In a forecast released Sunday in Abuja, the agency projected a slight dust haze over Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, and parts of Kaduna State on Monday, while other areas in the North will experience sunny conditions.
According to NiMet, “isolated thunderstorms are likely in parts of southern Taraba during the afternoon and evening,” with the central region expected to have sunny skies with patches of clouds.
Later in the day, parts of Benue and Kogi States may experience isolated thunderstorms, while the South is expected to remain generally cloudy with chances of light morning rainfall.
The forecast also noted late-morning thunderstorms over parts of Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos States, followed by moderate rainfall in some southwestern and southeastern areas by evening.
NiMet added that “isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains” are anticipated on Monday across Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States.
For Tuesday, the agency predicted sunny and hazy weather over the northern region, with isolated thunderstorms expected in parts of southern Taraba during the afternoon and evening hours.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are also expected over the central states, with chances of isolated thunderstorms later in the day in parts of Kogi, Benue, and Kwara States,” NiMet stated.
In the southern region, cloudy conditions are likely in the morning across Ogun, Lagos, and Cross River States, while thunderstorms with moderate rainfall may develop later in the day.
Areas expected to be affected include Ogun, Edo, Enugu, Ondo, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States.
By Wednesday, NiMet forecast sunny skies across the North and sunny conditions with patches of clouds over the central region, with thunderstorms developing later in some locations.
It further projected isolated thunderstorms with light rain in Kwara, Benue, and Kogi States during the afternoon and evening periods, advising residents to exercise caution in the event of severe weather.
“For the southern region, cloudy conditions are expected in the morning over Cross River, Rivers, and Delta States, with moderate thunderstorms likely later in the day across other coastal and inland areas,” NiMet said.
States expected to experience afternoon or evening thunderstorms on Wednesday include Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
The agency urged motorists to drive carefully under hazy or rainy conditions, warning that suspended dust particles could reduce visibility and air quality in the North.
NiMet also advised people with asthma or other respiratory challenges to take precautions and remain indoors during heavy haze or poor air quality episodes.
Airline operators were reminded to obtain airport-specific forecasts and flight documentation from NiMet “for effective planning and to avoid delays or disruptions due to weather conditions.”
The agency encouraged citizens to follow its updates via its website, www.nimet.gov.ng, and official social media platforms for accurate daily weather information.
