NiMet warns Nigerians as thunderstorms, rainfall loom
By Gabriel Agbeja
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast dust haze and thunderstorms across parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday.
In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency predicted slight dust haze over seven states in the North-West on Monday.
The affected states are Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto.
NiMet forecast sunny weather across the North-East throughout the three-day period.
It also predicted sunny skies with patches of clouds and possible thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of the North-Central region.
The affected areas include Kogi, Kwara, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa.
In the South, the agency forecast cloudy skies with sunshine intervals and possible morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over coastal states.
It added that scattered thunderstorms and light rain could occur later in parts of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
For Tuesday, NiMet anticipated sunny and hazy conditions across the North, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain possible over southern Taraba.
It also forecast sunny and hazy skies with patches of clouds across the North-Central region.
Morning thunderstorms are possible over Benue, while most parts of the region could experience thunderstorms and light rain later in the day.
Across the South, cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are expected, alongside possible morning thunderstorms and light rain.
NiMet identified parts of Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa as areas likely to experience morning rainfall.
The agency further forecast thunderstorms accompanied by light rain across most parts of the South later on Wednesday.
It predicted sunny and hazy conditions across the North throughout the day.
Sunny skies with patches of clouds are also expected across the North-Central region, with isolated afternoon thunderstorms and light rain possible over parts of Kwara.
NiMet said the South would experience cloudy skies with sunshine intervals in the morning, followed by thunderstorms and moderate rainfall later in the day.
The agency advised residents to take precautions against suspended dust particles, particularly people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
“People with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition,” it said.
NiMet warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms, urging residents to secure loose objects that could be blown away.
It also advised the public to disconnect electrical appliances from power sockets and avoid standing under tall trees during storms.
The agency said the precautions would help prevent injuries from falling branches and other storm-related hazards.
NiMet advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports and flight documentation to support effective operational planning.
It urged residents to stay informed by regularly checking weather updates on its website.
NAN