Thunderstorms Loom Across Nigeria: NiMet Warns of Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds Through Monday

 

NiMet Issues Nationwide Weather Alert as Thunderstorms and Rainfall Expected Over the Weekend

A wave of thunderstorms and rainfall is forecasted to sweep across Nigeria from Saturday through Monday, as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) urges citizens to brace for potentially disruptive weather conditions. The agency’s three-day outlook, released on Friday in Abuja, outlines a comprehensive breakdown of expected rainfall patterns across the northern, central, and southern regions of the country.

According to NiMet, residents of the northern states should prepare for early morning thunderstorms on Saturday, particularly in Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa. The storms are expected to persist later in the day across additional states such as Borno, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi, with the potential to disrupt both movement and daily activities.

Forecasts for the North-Central region indicate an unsettled weather pattern as well. Thunderstorms are expected to arrive in the early hours of Saturday across parts of Benue, Plateau, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Nasarawa. By evening, rainfall coupled with thunderstorms will likely spread across Kwara and Kogi, as well as continuing over the aforementioned areas.

The southern part of the country, though initially forecast to experience a cloudy atmosphere on Saturday morning, may also encounter pockets of rain in areas like Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa. As the day progresses, scattered thunderstorms and rainfall are projected to impact a wider area, including states like Imo, Abia, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, and Delta.

By Sunday, stormy weather is expected to linger over much of the north. Early morning thunderstorms are likely to affect parts of Kaduna, Kebbi, Taraba, and Adamawa. Later in the day, the storm front is set to expand into Gombe, Bauchi, and Zamfara, as well as recurring in the earlier mentioned areas.

Weather across the North-Central zone on Sunday is projected to feature a mixture of cloud patches and brief sunshine spells. Nonetheless, morning thunderstorms are anticipated to disrupt areas such as Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, and the FCT. Afternoon and evening hours will likely bring further instability, with widespread rainfall predicted in the same areas.

Southern states will again witness an active weather day on Sunday, beginning with morning thunderstorms likely in Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. As the day unfolds, the thunderstorms are forecast to intensify and extend their reach to cover most of the region — including states like Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti.

As the new week begins on Monday, thunderstorm activity is not expected to relent. The northern region will see another round of early morning thunderstorms across Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa. This trend will continue later in the day, spreading into Kano, Katsina, Gombe, and Bauchi.

Cloudy skies and intermittent sunshine will dominate much of the North-Central zone, though the afternoon and evening periods are poised for yet another bout of thunderstorms. States like Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kogi remain in the path of the anticipated rains, with Niger and the FCT also under threat of disruption.

Morning rainfall in the southern states is forecast to affect Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Delta, and Bayelsa. Widespread thunderstorms are expected to follow later in the day, affecting nearly the entire region. The recurrent storms may pose risks to infrastructure, particularly in urban areas prone to flooding.

NiMet is advising Nigerians to take precautionary measures, particularly in regions expected to face strong winds and torrential rainfall. Loose outdoor items should be secured to prevent accidents, and motorists are cautioned against driving during heavy downpours due to reduced visibility and the increased risk of flooding.

The agency further emphasized the importance of disconnecting electrical appliances during thunderstorms to avoid electrical hazards. Individuals are also warned to steer clear of tall trees and structures that may collapse under the pressure of strong winds.

Airline operators are urged to stay updated through NiMet’s airport-specific weather documentation to avoid flight disruptions. The agency concluded by encouraging the public to stay informed through reliable weather forecasts via their website and other official communication platforms.

With the weekend weather set to test the country’s resilience, preparedness remains key to avoiding disruptions and ensuring safety.