NiMet forecasts 3-day sunshine, thunderstorms across Nigeria

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has projected a combination of sunny intervals and thunderstorms across various regions of the country from Wednesday through Friday.

According to NiMet’s latest weather outlook, released in Abuja, clear skies are expected over the northern part of Nigeria on Wednesday, though isolated thunderstorms are likely in areas including Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa during the afternoon and evening.

In the North-Central region, the forecast indicates a mix of sunshine and cloud cover, with localized thunderstorms anticipated later in the day in parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi.

For the southern region, morning thunderstorms may occur in parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, while areas such as Imo, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, and Delta are expected to experience thunderstorms later in the day.

The agency’s forecast for Thursday suggests continued sunny spells in the North, alongside isolated thunderstorms in Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, and Kaduna. The North-Central zone will see similar conditions with potential storms in Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa, Niger, Benue, and Kogi by the afternoon and evening.

Morning storms are likely in parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom in the South, followed by broader thunderstorm activity in areas such as Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Rivers, Delta, and others later in the day.

By Friday, NiMet expects mostly sunny weather in the North, punctuated by isolated storms in places like Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba during afternoon hours. Sunny conditions with occasional cloudiness are predicted in the North-Central region, with possible thunderstorms in Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa, Niger, Benue, and Kogi.

The South may start the day with thunderstorms in Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, while states such as Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Rivers, Delta, and Lagos could see storms later in the day.

NiMet advised Nigerians to exercise caution as some of the thunderstorms could be accompanied by strong winds.

“Driving under heavy rain should be avoided. 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.

“ Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,“ it said.