The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast predicting widespread rain and thunderstorms across the country from Sunday to Tuesday.
According to the forecast, moderate rains will affect parts of Jigawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa states during Sunday morning. Thunderstorms will follow, with moderate rains over regions including Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, and Taraba later in the day.
NiMet also highlighted the risk of flooding in areas such as Kebbi, Gombe, and Bauchi states. Central Nigeria will experience light, intermittent rains over parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Niger State during the morning. By the afternoon and evening, these areas will see intermittent light rains, with flood risks looming over states like Niger, Plateau, Kogi, and Benue.
The southern region will see cloudy skies in the morning, followed by moderate rain in parts of Enugu, Anambra, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Lagos states later in the day. NiMet cautioned that flash floods are possible in parts of Osun State.
On Monday, thunderstorms and moderate rains are expected across several states, including Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna. In the central region, light rains will occur in the FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, and Niger states. The southern region will remain cloudy in the morning, with light rains expected later in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Lagos states.
Tuesday will see thunderstorms and moderate rains in parts of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna during the morning. Thunderstorms with moderate rain are forecasted for these states later in the day. Light rains are also expected across parts of Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Cross River, and Lagos states in the southern region.
NiMet has advised the public to avoid driving under heavy rain and to take precautions in areas prone to flash floods. States at risk are urged to activate emergency response plans. For farmers, the agency recommends refraining from applying fertilisers and pesticides right before the rain to prevent leaching of nutrients.
Additionally, residents should ensure warm clothing during cold temperatures and secure loose objects to prevent accidents. Electrical appliances should be disconnected, and people are advised to stay away from tall trees to avoid injury from falling branches.
NiMet also urged airline operators to consult airport-specific weather reports to ensure safe flight planning. The agency stressed that staying informed through its updates is crucial for all Nigerians.
