The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast widespread cloudy and thundery weather conditions across Nigeria between Wednesday and Friday.
The agency made this known in its weather outlook released in Abuja on Tuesday.
NiMet said parts of the northern region would experience cloudy conditions on Wednesday, with chances of morning thunderstorms and light rainfall in some areas of Taraba and Kebbi states.
It also predicted isolated thunderstorms with moderate rainfall across parts of Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna states later in the day.
“For the North-Central region, thunderstorms accompanied by light rains are expected over parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.
“During the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains are expected over most parts of the region,” it said.
For the southern region, the agency forecast cloudy conditions, with morning rainfall expected in parts of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states.
It added that moderate rainfall would affect most parts of the region later in the day.
On Thursday, NiMet predicted partly cloudy conditions over the northern region, with morning thunderstorms and light rains possible in parts of Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna states.
“Later during the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states.
“For the North-Central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected, with prospects of morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger and Benue states.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire region,” NiMet said.
The agency also forecast light morning rainfall across parts of Ondo, Ogun, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
It said most parts of the southern region could experience continued rainfall later in the day.
NiMet further warned of a high risk of flooding in parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the forecast period.
For Friday, the agency expected partly cloudy skies over the northern region, with possible thunderstorms and moderate rainfall in Taraba and Adamawa states during the morning hours.
NiMet said thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall were expected across Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa and Taraba states during the afternoon or evening.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the central region, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated in most parts of the region.
“A cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region, with prospects of moderate rains over parts of Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the morning hours,” it said.
The agency further predicted moderate rainfall across most parts of the southern region later in the day.
NiMet cautioned that strong winds could occur ahead of rainfall in areas where thunderstorms are expected.
It advised members of the public to take necessary safety measures and secure loose objects that could be blown away or cause injuries.
“The states with the possibility of flash floods should activate the emergency response system immediately.
“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 obtain airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning of their operations.
