The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, in its weather outlook released on Friday in Abuja, has predicted early morning thunderstorms followed by rain, which begins from Saturday to Monday across Nigeria. According to NiMet, early morning thunderstorms are expected over parts of Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa states in the northern region. Thunderstorms with rain are anticipated over parts of Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi states later in the day. “In the North-Central region, early morning thunderstorms are expected over parts of Benue, Plateau, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, and Nasarawa States.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Kwara, Kogi, and Plateau states. “In the Southern region, cloudy atmosphere is expected with chances of morning rains over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States,” it said.
NiMet predicted thunderstorms with rain over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Gombe, Kaduna, and Bauchi States later in the day. In the North-Central region, the agency forecasts patches of clouds with sunshine intervals, along with prospects of thunderstorms and rain over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, and Niger States.
According to NiMet, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Benue, and Kogi States in the afternoon or evening hours. “In the Southern region, a cloudy atmosphere is expected with chances of morning rains over parts of Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over most parts of the region,” it said. It also stated that isolated thunderstorms with rain are expected over parts of Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers States later in the day.
The agency anticipated prospects of morning thunderstorms on Sunday over parts of Kaduna, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States in the northern region. It was expected to bring thunderstorms with rain to parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Gombe, and Bauchi States later in the day.
NiMet anticipated patches of clouds with sunshine intervals, along with prospects of early morning thunderstorms, likely to affect parts of Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory in the North-Central region. “Later in the day, thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau states.
“In the Southern region, morning thunderstorms are expected over parts of Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States. “Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over most parts of Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers State,” it said.
The agency envisaged morning thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba States in the Northern region on Monday. “Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website, www.nimet.gov.ng,” it said.
It warned the public to take adequate precautions, as strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur. NiMet urged the public to ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions and to refrain from driving during heavy rain.
“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees. “Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.