NiMet forecasts thunderstorms, rain, possible floods nationwide Monday–Wednesday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Monday to Wednesday, warning of possible flooding in several states.

In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet said morning thunderstorms on Monday are expected over the northern region, with moderate rains likely in parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa and Taraba States. Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are predicted for Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba and Adamawa States. The agency warned of a high risk of flooding in Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto States.

In the central region, light rain is expected over Niger State in the morning, followed by thunderstorms with light rains in the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi States later in the day. NiMet also flagged a high possibility of flooding in parts of Plateau, Nasarawa and Niger States.

For the southern region, cloudy skies and intermittent light rains are anticipated over Ebonyi, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States in the morning, with moderate rains forecast later for Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom. The agency warned of possible flooding in Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

On Tuesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina and Kaduna States, while Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto and Gombe will likely see similar conditions later in the day. The central region will have light rains in the morning, followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. In the south, light rains are expected in parts of Oyo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Lagos and Bayelsa in the morning, with more rainfall later.

By Wednesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated in Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, spreading across the northern region in the afternoon and evening. Central states including Kwara, Niger, Kogi and Plateau will see light rains in the morning, followed by thunderstorms later. In the south, light rains are forecast for Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa, with continuous rainfall expected in the afternoon and evening.

NiMet advised motorists to avoid driving in heavy rain, residents in flood-prone states to activate emergency response measures, and farmers to refrain from applying fertilisers and pesticides before rainfall. It also urged the public to secure loose objects, avoid tall trees during storms, and disconnect electrical appliances during bad weather. Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports for effective planning.