NiMet forecasts thunderstorms, dust haze across Nigeria for 3 days

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a forecast predicting thunderstorms and dusty conditions across various parts of the country from Sunday through Tuesday.

In its weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja, the agency projected moderate dust haze over states including Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno, Kano, Yobe, and Jigawa.

NiMet also indicated the possibility of isolated thunderstorms in parts of Adamawa and Taraba States during the forecast period.

“In the North-central region, NiMet expects partly cloudy skies in the morning with isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening hours over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Benue States,” the agency stated.

For the southern states, NiMet anticipated morning thunderstorms in areas such as Lagos, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom, with more thunderstorms likely later in the day across several parts of the South.

Looking ahead to Monday, the agency predicted clear, sunny conditions across the northern states, though thunderstorms could occur in parts of Taraba and Adamawa States during the morning hours.

It added that “thunderstorms are expected to extend to Kaduna, Bauchi, and Gombe States later in the day.”

In North-central Nigeria, thunderstorms were expected in Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue States in the morning, with more storms forecasted for the afternoon and evening across different parts of the region.

Southern states were again predicted to experience morning thunderstorms in Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Edo, followed by further thunderstorms later in the day.

On Tuesday, NiMet projected mainly sunny skies with patches of cloud cover in the North, alongside morning thunderstorms in Adamawa and Taraba States.

“Thunderstorms are expected later in the day over parts of Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba States,” the agency said.

The North-central region is expected to have partly cloudy skies in the morning, transitioning to thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours over areas including the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, and Niger States.

In the South, NiMet forecasted morning thunderstorms for Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Bayelsa States, with more thunderstorms likely later in the day across several locations.

The agency advised Nigerians to take necessary precautions as strong winds might accompany thunderstorms, and warned residents in the North to be wary of dust particles suspended in the atmosphere.

It also called on airline operators to always obtain weather reports specific to airports from NiMet to aid effective flight planning.
Additionally, residents were encouraged to stay updated with NiMet’s forecasts, available on its official website: www.nimet.gov.ng.