The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Monday through Wednesday, warning of possible flash floods in several states.
In its three-day weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency said parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States in the northern region will likely experience morning thunderstorms on Monday, followed by more widespread thunderstorms and moderate rainfall later in the day.
NiMet flagged a high risk of flooding in Adamawa, Taraba, and Bauchi States during the period.
For the central region, light morning rains are expected over Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States. By the afternoon and evening, rains are forecast to spread to Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and the FCT.
Cloudy skies are predicted across the southern region in the morning, with light rains anticipated in Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States. Light rainfall is also forecast for the entire region later in the day. Oyo, Ogun, Edo, and Delta States are particularly at risk of flash flooding during this period.
On Tuesday, NiMet expects morning thunderstorms over Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara States in the North, with continued rain expected into the afternoon and evening.
The central states—FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Benue—are forecast to experience intermittent light rains throughout the day.
Cloudy conditions will persist in the South, with intermittent light rain expected across Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States. NiMet warned of high flood risk in Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
By Wednesday, thunderstorms and moderate rains are expected to start the day in Taraba and Kaduna States, with isolated thunderstorms later spreading across Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Adamawa.
Morning showers are anticipated in Nasarawa, Niger, and the FCT, with intermittent light rain forecast for the wider central region—including Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Benue—in the afternoon.
In the South, the agency predicts cloudy skies and light rain over Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Cross River in the morning, with sustained light rain expected across the entire region later. Bayelsa is identified as having a high flood risk.
NiMet urged the public to avoid driving during heavy downpours and advised authorities in flood-prone areas to activate emergency response plans. It also recommended warm clothing at night for vulnerable persons, the securing of loose outdoor objects, and unplugging electrical appliances during storms. The public was also warned to avoid sheltering under tall trees due to the risk of falling branches.
Airline operators were advised to rely on airport-specific forecasts for flight planning, while the general public can stay updated through NiMet’s website, www.nimet.gov.ng.
