NiMet predicts three-day rain, thunderstorms across Nigeria, warns of flash flooding

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast sunshine, cloudiness, thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across different parts of the country from Saturday through Monday, while warning residents to take precautionary measures against possible flash flooding and strong winds.

In its weather outlook released on Friday in Abuja, the agency predicted sunny skies with patches of cloud over the northern region on Saturday, with chances of morning thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall in parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna states.

According to NiMet, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected later in the day across parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba states.

For the North Central region, the agency forecast morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and the FCT are expected to experience similar weather conditions during the afternoon and evening hours.

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In the southern region, NiMet predicted moderate rainfall over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa states in the morning, with rainfall expected to spread across the entire region later in the day.

On Sunday, the agency forecast morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa and Taraba states, while Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba and Adamawa states are expected to experience thunderstorms later in the day.

NiMet also predicted morning thunderstorms over parts of Niger, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory, with moderate rainfall expected across the North Central region during the afternoon and evening.

For the southern states, light rainfall is expected in the morning over parts of Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers states before moderate rainfall extends across the region later in the day.

On Monday, the agency forecast partly cloudy skies over the northern region, with chances of morning thunderstorms and light rainfall in parts of Bauchi, Jigawa and Yobe states. Thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall are expected to become widespread across the region later in the day.

The North Central region is expected to experience sunny skies with patches of cloud in the morning before thunderstorms and moderate rainfall develop across the region in the afternoon and evening.

NiMet also predicted cloudy conditions over the southern region, with light rainfall expected during the morning in parts of Edo, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, followed by widespread thunderstorms and moderate rainfall later in the day.

The agency advised residents to take adequate precautions, warning that strong winds could precede thunderstorms in affected areas. It also cautioned that persistent rainfall along the coastal states increases the risk of flash flooding.

NiMet urged motorists to avoid driving or walking through flooded areas and advised residents to disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms and stay away from tall trees to reduce the risk of injuries from falling branches.

The agency further advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective flight planning, while urging members of the public to remain updated through its regular weather forecasts.

Harping on the importance of public safety, the agency reiterated the need for Nigerians to remain vigilant and comply with weather advisories throughout the forecast period.