The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast cloudy conditions, thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across several parts of Nigeria between Wednesday and Friday.
The agency, in its latest weather outlook released in Abuja on Wednesday, August 5, warned that various states across the northern, North-Central and southern regions of the country would experience different levels of rainfall and thunderstorms during the three-day period.
NiMet also cautioned that strong winds could accompany some of the thunderstorms, urging residents to take necessary safety measures to protect lives and property.
The agency predicted that Wednesday morning would begin with cloudy conditions across parts of the northern region, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected in states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba and Adamawa.
It added that the weather system would later extend to Kaduna and other parts of the North-East as the day progressed.
For Thursday, NiMet projected continued cloudy weather in the northern region, with morning thunderstorms and moderate rainfall likely in parts of Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The agency noted that most areas in the region could experience more widespread thunderstorms and moderate rainfall during the afternoon and evening.
On Friday, early morning thunderstorms are expected in parts of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba before the weather conditions spread across the northern region later in the day.
NiMet also predicted cloudy skies across the North-Central region, with possible thunderstorms and light rainfall affecting parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau and Nasarawa states.
The agency said residents in Benue, Kogi, the FCT, Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau should prepare for moderate rainfall and thunderstorms later on Wednesday, with similar conditions expected to continue into Thursday.
For Friday, light rainfall is expected in parts of Nasarawa and Benue during the morning, while moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are likely across the region later in the day.
In the southern parts of the country, NiMet forecast cloudy weather with light rainfall in parts of the South-South on Wednesday morning. Moderate rainfall is also expected in areas including Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, the South-East and other parts of the South-South.
The agency projected that Thursday would bring moderate rainfall to parts of Ondo and the South-South, with increased rainfall activities expected in the South-East and South-South later in the day.
For Friday, NiMet predicted light morning rainfall across parts of the South-South, followed by moderate rainfall in Ondo, Oyo, Enugu, Imo and other areas within the South-East and South-South regions.
The weather agency warned that strong winds could occur ahead of rainfall in areas affected by thunderstorms, advising residents to secure loose objects and take precautions during storms.
NiMet also advised Nigerians to avoid travelling during heavy rainfall, unplug electrical appliances during storms and stay away from tall trees to reduce the risk of accidents caused by falling branches or uprooted trees.
The agency further urged airline operators to obtain location-specific weather reports before flight operations to ensure safer planning.
NiMet encouraged members of the public to stay updated with official weather information as the predicted conditions unfold.
