Abuja, Nigeria: The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a nationwide weather alert, forecasting three consecutive days of thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall across all regions from Friday to Sunday.
NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja on Thursday envisaged isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Taraba States during the morning hours on Friday.
According to NiMet, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi States.
” For the central region, a cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is expected over this region during the morning hours, with chances of light rains over Niger, Kogi and Benue States.
” Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory.
” There are prospects of intermittent moderate rainfall over most of the southern region throughout the forecast period.
” There are prospects of flooding over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States,” it said.
According to NiMet, a cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the northern region on Saturday, with prospects of isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains over Taraba, Adamawa, southern Borno, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kano and Katsina States later in the day.
It is anticipated that there will be a cloudy atmosphere over the central region, with intervals of sunshine over the area, and chances of light rain over parts of Kogi and Benue States during the morning hours.
” In the afternoon/evening hours, a thunderstorm with moderate rain is anticipated over most parts of the region.
” For the southern region, cloudy skies are anticipated over the area with chances of moderate rains over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours.
” Later during the afternoon/evening period, light to moderate rain is expected over most parts of the region,” it said.
NiMet also predicted cloudy skies on Sunday with intervals of sunshine over the northern region, with chances of isolated thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina States during the morning period.
It anticipated isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains in most parts of the region later in the day.
” For the central region, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over this region with prospects of thunderstorms with moderate rain over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States during the afternoon or evening period.
” Cloudy skies are anticipated over the southern region with prospects of moderate rains over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours.
” In the afternoon/evening periods, moderate rains are anticipated over most parts of the region,” it said.
According to NiMet, driving under heavy rain should be avoided, and to prevent leaching of nutrients, farmers should refrain from applying fertiliser and pesticides right before the rains.
” They should ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions. Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.
It is necessary to keep a distance from tall trees to avoid the impact of falling branches and broken trees.
” Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
” Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng.
