NiMet Predicts Three Days Of Thunderstorms, Flood Risk Nationwide

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast three consecutive days of cloudy weather, thunderstorms and widespread rainfall across the country from Wednesday to Friday, warning that some states could experience flash flooding during the period.

In its latest weather outlook released in Abuja, the agency advised residents, motorists, emergency responders and airline operators to take precautionary measures as strong winds and heavy rains are expected in many parts of the country.

Wednesday Forecast

According to NiMet, patches of clouds are expected over northern Nigeria on Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall likely in parts of Taraba and Kebbi states.

Later in the day, moderate thunderstorms and rainfall are expected across parts of Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna states.

For the North-Central region, morning thunderstorms with light rainfall are forecast for parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while moderate thunderstorms are expected across most parts of the region during the afternoon and evening.

In southern Nigeria, NiMet predicts a cloudy atmosphere with morning rainfall over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states.

The agency expects moderate rainfall to spread across most southern states later in the day.

Thursday Forecast

NiMet said northern states will continue to experience patches of clouds on Thursday, with morning thunderstorms and light rainfall expected over parts of Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna states.

By afternoon and evening, moderate thunderstorms are forecast across Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states.

For the North-Central region, sunny intervals with patches of clouds are expected during the morning, while thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall may occur in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger and Benue states.

Moderate thunderstorms are expected to become widespread across the region later in the day.

In southern Nigeria, light morning rainfall is expected over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states before continuous rainfall extends across most of the region later in the day.

Friday Forecast

On Friday, NiMet forecasts partly cloudy skies over northern Nigeria during the morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected over Taraba and Adamawa states.

As the day progresses, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall are expected in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa and Taraba states.

The North-Central region is expected to experience sunny conditions with patches of clouds during the morning, alongside light thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states.

Moderate thunderstorms are expected to affect most parts of the region later in the day.

In the South, cloudy conditions are forecast throughout the day, with moderate rainfall expected during the morning in parts of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Ebonyi states before spreading across most of the region during the afternoon and evening.

Flood Warning Issued

NiMet warned that there is a high likelihood of flash flooding in Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the three-day forecast period.

The agency urged state emergency management agencies and relevant authorities in the affected areas to activate emergency response mechanisms in anticipation of possible flooding.

Safety Advisory

NiMet cautioned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms in many locations and advised residents to secure loose objects that could be blown away during severe weather.

The agency also advised motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall because of poor visibility and increased accident risks.

Residents were urged to disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms and stay away from tall trees to avoid injuries from falling branches or trees.

Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet to support safe flight planning and operations.

The agency encouraged members of the public to monitor official weather updates and forecasts through its communication channels throughout the period.