By Our Reporter
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a comprehensive three-day weather outlook, forecasting a volatile mix of intense sunshine, heavy cloud cover, and thunderstorms across Nigeria from Sunday through Tuesday.
In the weather alert released in Abuja, the agency highlighted significant risks for southern coastal and inland states, specifically warning residents of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and several others to prepare for inclement conditions.
According to the agency’s forecast, the northern region is expected to remain predominantly clear. “Sunny skies are expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period,” NiMet stated.
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However, the North Central zone and the South face a more turbulent period. For the North Central region, the agency noted that “sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected with prospects of isolated thunderstorms with or without rain” across Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Across the southern belt, the start of the week is expected to be particularly wet. NiMet stated that “cloudy conditions with intervals of sunshine are anticipated,” while adding that “prospects of isolated thunderstorms accompanied by light rain” are likely over Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Delta, and Cross River states during the morning hours.
The situation is expected to intensify as the day progresses. The agency added that “later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected” across a wide stretch of southern states, including Ekiti, Osun, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
The unsettled weather is predicted to persist into Tuesday. While the North remains sunny, the North Central zone will see “isolated thunderstorms with light rain” in the FCT, Plateau, and Niger states.
In the South, NiMet projected continued “cloudy conditions with intervals of sunshine,” with morning thunderstorms in coastal states. These will transition into “thunderstorms with moderate rain” later in the day for parts of Ondo, Edo, Imo, Bayelsa, and Delta.
A primary concern raised by the agency is the potential for structural damage and personal injury due to atmospheric turbulence. The agency warned that “strong winds may precede thunderstorms in areas where they are likely to occur,” urging the public to take immediate precautions.
Residents were advised to secure loose items around their homes to prevent them from being carried away by the wind. Furthermore, NiMet cautioned that “driving under heavy rain should be avoided,” and residents should “stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.”
Beyond the storm risks, the agency highlighted a persistent heatwave. “Temperatures are expected to remain high, causing thermal discomfort,” NiMet cautioned. To mitigate health risks, the public is advised to wear breathable clothing, stay hydrated, and ensure they remain in well-ventilated environments.
Recognizing the impact of severe weather on flight safety, NiMet issued a directive to the aviation industry. “Airline operators are advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports flight documentation from NiMet for effective operational planning,” the agency added.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated through official NiMet channels as weather conditions may evolve rapidly over the three-day period.
