NiMet warns of Dust Haze, Thunderstorms across Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast a mix of dust haze and thunderstorms across different parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday, warning Nigerians to stay alert and take necessary precautions.

In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet predicted slight dust haze over Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, and parts of Kaduna State on Monday, while other northern areas will experience sunny conditions.

The agency said isolated thunderstorms are likely over parts of southern Taraba in the afternoon and evening, with sunny skies and patches of clouds expected in the central region. It added that thunderstorms may also occur in parts of Benue and Kogi States later in the day, while the southern region will generally experience cloudy weather with chances of light morning rainfall.

NiMet further forecast late morning thunderstorms over Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos States, with moderate rainfall likely in some southwestern and southeastern states by evening. It added that isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected later on Monday across Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States.

For Tuesday, NiMet predicted sunny and hazy conditions in the northern region, with isolated thunderstorms anticipated over southern Taraba in the afternoon and evening. The central region is expected to have sunny skies with patches of clouds, while isolated thunderstorms may develop later in Kogi, Benue, and Kwara States.

In the southern region, cloudy conditions are expected in the morning across Ogun, Lagos, and Cross River States, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected later in the afternoon and evening over Ogun, Edo, Enugu, Ondo, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States.

By Wednesday, NiMet forecast sunny skies over the northern region and partly cloudy conditions across the central states. It predicted isolated thunderstorms and light rain over Kwara, Benue, and Kogi States in the afternoon and evening, urging residents to remain cautious during adverse weather conditions.

For the southern region, NiMet said cloudy conditions are expected in the morning over Cross River, Rivers, and Delta States, with moderate thunderstorms likely later in the day across other coastal and inland areas including Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

The agency cautioned motorists to drive carefully under rain and hazy weather due to reduced visibility and poor air quality from suspended dust particles. It also advised people with asthma or respiratory issues to take preventive measures and stay indoors during heavy haze or poor air quality periods.

NiMet further urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports and flight documentation to avoid delays or disruptions. The agency encouraged Nigerians to stay informed through its website, www.nimet.gov.ng, and social media platforms for regular weather updates.