The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has issued a weather forecast predicting rainy and thundery conditions across Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday, with warnings of potential flash floods in several states.
According to NiMet’s outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, northern states including Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, and Katsina will experience thunderstorms with moderate rainfall on Monday morning.
“The remaining parts of the region are expected to experience sunny conditions with patches of cloud,” the agency stated.
It added that thunderstorms with moderate rain are likely during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States.
The agency specifically warned that “there are chances of flash floods occurring over parts of Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano States during the forecast period.”
In the central region, cloudy skies are expected in the morning with light to moderate rainfall anticipated in parts of Niger, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, and Nasarawa States.
“Later in the day, rains are expected in Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT, Kogi, Benue, and Niger States,” NiMet said, noting a high risk of flash flooding in parts of Plateau State.
For the southern region, cloudy skies are forecast in the morning, with light to moderate rainfall predicted later in parts of Ondo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
On Tuesday, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the northern region, with thunderstorms and moderate rain anticipated in the morning over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano States. Later in the day, thunderstorms and rain are forecast over Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.
In the central region, light to moderate morning rain is expected over Niger, Benue, FCT, Kogi, Plateau, and Nasarawa States, with moderate rainfall anticipated later in Plateau, Niger, FCT, Kwara, Kogi, and Nasarawa.
The southern region will see cloudy skies in the morning with possible rain in parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, followed by moderate rainfall in the afternoon and evening across Abia, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States.
Wednesday’s forecast indicates sunny skies with patches of clouds in the northern region, with morning thunderstorms and moderate rains expected over Kaduna, Kebbi, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States.
Thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are anticipated later in Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Zamfara, and Kebbi States.
The central region will experience cloudy skies with chances of morning thunderstorms and rain in Plateau, Niger, FCT, and Nasarawa States, followed by moderate rainfall in the afternoon and evening in the FCT, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Nasarawa States.
In the south, morning rains are forecast in Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River States, with moderate to heavy rains likely later across Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
NiMet warned that states at risk of flash floods should activate emergency response systems. The agency advised the public to avoid driving during heavy rains, ensure vulnerable individuals dress warmly due to low night-time temperatures, and take precautions against strong winds that might precede thunderstorms.
“Ensure that loose objects are fastened to prevent damage. Disconnect electrical appliances during storms and avoid sheltering under tall trees,” NiMet advised.
The agency also urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from its offices for effective planning and encouraged residents to stay informed through regular updates on its website: www.nimet.gov.ng.
