The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms and rains from Monday to Wednesday, with significant weather activity expected across the South-South region, including Rivers State.
NiMet’s outlook, released on Sunday in Abuja, predicted morning thunderstorms on Monday across parts of the northern states including Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa and Kano.
In the North-central region, morning thunderstorms with rains are expected over the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Nasarawa States, with afternoon and evening storms forecast for Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Benue.
“In the southern region, a cloudy atmosphere is expected with morning rain likely over Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom,” the agency said.
Later in the day, rain showers are anticipated across Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa.
For Tuesday, northern states including Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and Taraba will experience morning thunderstorms and rains, with additional storms in the afternoon and evening over Taraba, Kebbi, Borno, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Katsina.
In the North-central region, storms are expected during the morning in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Nasarawa, with later activity over FCT, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, and Plateau.
“In the southern region, thunderstorms are forecast in the morning over Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom,” NiMet added.
Rains are expected later across Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa.
Wednesday’s forecast anticipates morning thunderstorms with rains over Zamfara, Adamawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Taraba in the north, followed by storms over Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Adamawa later in the day.
In the North-central region, rains will affect parts of FCT, Nasarawa, Niger, and Benue during the morning, with afternoon storms over Nasarawa, Plateau, FCT, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger.
“Morning rains are expected over Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom in the southern region,” NiMet said.
The agency warned that strong winds may precede the rains where thunderstorms occur and urged the public to take necessary precautions.
“Ensure loose objects are secured to prevent damage, avoid driving under heavy rain, disconnect electrical appliances, and stay away from tall trees to avoid injury from falling branches,” the agency advised.
Airline operators were urged to obtain airport-specific weather updates from NiMet for operational planning.
Residents were encouraged to stay informed through NiMet’s weather updates via their website www.nimet.gov.ng.
(NAN)