NiMet predicts 3-day thunderstorms and rain from today

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across various parts of the country from Saturday, June 14, through Monday, June 16. 

The agency, in its weather outlook notice, urged the public to take necessary precautions against likely hazardous weather conditions.

According to the forecast, early morning thunderstorms are expected on Saturday over parts of Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa States. As the day progresses, more intense thunderstorms with rainfall are likely across Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi States.

In the North-Central region, early thunderstorms are expected in Benue, Plateau, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Nasarawa, with further rainfall anticipated in Kwara and Kogi later in the day. The southern region will experience cloudy conditions in the morning with chances of rain in Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa. Isolated thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon and evening across states including Imo, Abia, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, and Delta.

On Sunday, June 15, thunderstorms are forecast again in Kaduna, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba in the morning, with more widespread rains expected across the northern belt, including Gombe and Bauchi, later in the day. Cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are expected in the North-Central region, with thunderstorms likely in Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and the FCT.

In the southern region, morning thunderstorms are expected in Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, while isolated thunderstorms with rains will likely follow in Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ondo, Ekiti, and other parts of the South.

For Monday, June 16, NiMet forecasts morning thunderstorms in Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba, with rains spreading to Kano, Katsina, Gombe, and Bauchi later in the day. Cloud patches with sunshine intervals are expected in the North-Central, accompanied by thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening across the region.

Southern states including Ogun, Edo, Ondo, and Delta are likely to see morning rains, while widespread thunderstorms are expected across the entire southern corridor by evening.

NiMet advised residents to secure loose objects, avoid driving under heavy rain, and disconnect electrical appliances during storms. The agency also cautioned the public about strong winds likely to accompany thunderstorms and advised against seeking shelter under tall trees.

Airline operators were urged to obtain airport-specific weather updates from NiMet to guide flight operations. 

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet,” the agency said.