The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has released a weather outlook predicting widespread thunderstorms and rainfall activities across various parts of the country from Friday to Sunday, urging the public to take necessary safety precautions.
In the forecast released on Thursday in Abuja, NiMet indicated that thunderstorms and moderate rainfall would affect the northern region starting Friday, with light to moderate rain expected during early morning hours in Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Gombe. The rest of the northern region is expected to experience sunny skies with patches of cloud.
Later in the day, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains are likely over Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Taraba states.
In the North Central, sunny skies with cloud patches are forecasted in the morning with light rains expected over parts of Plateau and Nasarawa. By afternoon and evening, light rains are likely in Plateau, the FCT, Nasarawa, and Benue.
In the Southern region, cloudy conditions are expected with chances of morning light rain in Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. Light rain is also expected in the afternoon or evening in Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
Saturday’s forecast shows sunny skies in the North, transitioning into thunderstorms and moderate rain in the afternoon and evening in states including Adamawa, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Yobe, Taraba, Kaduna, and Bauchi.
The central region will see morning light rains in FCT, Plateau, and Benue, with broader coverage in the afternoon/evening across Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, and FCT.
In the South, cloudy skies and morning showers are expected in Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, with further light rain activity later in the day across Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa.
By Sunday, sunny skies are expected across the northern region, with thunderstorms likely in the morning over Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, and Kebbi, extending to the afternoon and evening.
In the Central states, morning light rains are expected in Nasarawa, Niger, FCT, Kogi, Benue, and Kwara, followed by light to moderate rain in the afternoon across Niger, Plateau, and surrounding areas.
The Southern region will see sunny skies with cloud patches, and light to moderate rains in both morning and evening over Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa.
NiMet advised the public to take safety measures as strong winds may precede thunderstorms in some areas. The agency urged citizens to:
Secure loose objects to avoid damage,
Avoid driving during heavy rainfall,
Disconnect electrical appliances during storms,
Stay clear of tall trees and exposed structures,
And keep updated with local weather reports.
Airline operators were also advised to obtain airport-specific forecasts for flight planning.
“Stay weather-aware and follow official guidance,” NiMet emphasized.