The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has issued a three-day weather forecast warning of thunderstorms, moderate to light rains, and potential flooding in parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday.
In its outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet predicted that the northern region will experience morning thunderstorms on Monday, with moderate rains in Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States. Later in the day, similar conditions are expected in Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba, and Adamawa.
“There is a high possibility of flooding in parts of Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto during the forecast period,” the agency cautioned.
For the central region, NiMet said light rain is likely over parts of Niger State in the morning, with afternoon and evening thunderstorms expected in the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and Kogi. Plateau, Nasarawa, and Niger are also flagged for possible flooding.
The southern region will begin Monday with cloudy skies and intermittent light rain in Ebonyi, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, followed by moderate rains later in the day in Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.
“There is a high likelihood of floods in parts of Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom,” NiMet warned.
On Tuesday, thunderstorms and moderate rains are forecast for parts of Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, and Kaduna in the morning, with similar conditions later in Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Gombe.
The central region will see light rain in the morning, followed by thunderstorms later in the day, while southern states will experience scattered showers throughout.
For Wednesday, NiMet projects morning thunderstorms in Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, with rainfall spreading across the entire northern region by afternoon.
The central region will have light morning showers in Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Plateau, followed by thunderstorms, while the south will see morning light rain in Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Bayelsa before widespread afternoon rainfall.
NiMet advised the public to take safety precautions, saying:
“Driving under heavy rain should be avoided, and states at risk of flash floods should activate emergency response systems immediately. Farmers should not apply fertiliser or pesticides just before rainfall to prevent nutrient loss.”
The agency further urged airline operators to obtain location-specific forecasts for flight planning and encouraged residents to follow weather updates via its official website.