By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
THUNDERSTORMS AND widespread rain are expected across much of Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) released a fresh weather forecast warning of unstable atmospheric conditions.
The outlook anticipates cloudy skies with morning thunderstorms over parts of Taraba and Adamawa on Monday. By afternoon and evening, more intense storms are projected across Zamfara, Adamawa, Kebbi, Taraba and Kaduna, as stated in NiMet’s release.
In the North-Central region, morning hours will bring sunny intervals with cloud patches. Thunderstorms accompanied by rain are forecast later over the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa.
The southern region begins the day with cloudy skies and light rain in coastal states including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa. By evening, showers are likely to extend inland, affecting Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Imo, Abia, Edo, Ebonyi and Enugu.
By Tuesday, northern states such as Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano and Adamawa are predicted to experience isolated thunderstorms and moderate rain later in the day. Early hours are expected to remain sunny with cloud patches.
North-Central states including the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Niger will see partly cloudy skies in the morning, with isolated thunderstorms developing in the afternoon.
Morning rain is forecast for parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom in the South, followed by evening showers across Ekiti, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Rivers and Lagos.
Wednesday brings early morning thunderstorms with rainfall across Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Gombe. Later in the day, similar conditions are forecast for Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Taraba, Adamawa and Zamfara.
North-Central states are expected to remain cloudy early on, with isolated thunderstorms moving in by the afternoon. The entire southern region will also experience light showers from midday through evening hours.
NiMet urged Nigerians to take precautionary measures against strong winds that may accompany thunderstorms and advised fastening loose objects, staying indoors during heavy rainfall and avoiding tall trees due to risk of falling branches.
The agency also encouraged residents to disconnect electrical appliances during storms, avoid driving in hazardous conditions and rely on official NiMet updates for safety information.
Airline operators, NiMet said, were reminded to obtain airport-specific forecasts to ensure safe flight planning throughout the forecast period.
