The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has released a forecast warning of thunderstorms and varying degrees of rainfall across multiple states in Nigeria over a three-day period, beginning Monday and ending Wednesday.
The agency also issued a caution regarding the possibility of flash flooding in several locations during this timeframe.
According to the weather outlook shared on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet anticipates early morning thunderstorms on Monday across parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states located in the northern region of the country.
The forecast further projects that by the afternoon and evening hours of Monday, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall will likely cover the entire northern area. The agency warned that “there is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Adamawa, Taraba and Bauchi states during the forecast period.”
For the central region, light rainfall is predicted in the morning across areas such as Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States. As the day progresses into the afternoon and evening, additional light rainfall is expected in Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and the FCT.
NiMet’s forecast for the southern part of the country on Monday includes cloudy morning conditions with potential for light rainfall across Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states. Later in the day, more light rainfall is expected in the same region, particularly in parts of Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. The agency highlighted that “there is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Edo and Delta States during the forecast period.”
On Tuesday, NiMet forecasts that morning thunderstorms with moderate rain will affect parts of Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara states in the north. These weather conditions are expected to extend across the entire northern region by afternoon.
In the central belt, intermittent light rain is likely throughout the day over the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Benue states.
The southern part of the country will experience cloudy skies with scattered light rainfall predicted in Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. NiMet emphasized the increased risk of flooding in parts of Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are anticipated in Taraba and Kaduna States in the north. Isolated thunderstorms combined with moderate rains are expected to follow later in the day across areas such as Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Adamawa.
In the central region, light rainfall is projected in the morning over Nasarawa, Niger, and the FCT, with extended showers expected in the afternoon in the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Benue States.
For the south, morning conditions will be cloudy with light showers expected across Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Cross River States. Later in the day, light rainfall is anticipated throughout the entire southern region, with NiMet identifying Bayelsa State as having “a high possibility of flood… during the forecast period.”
In light of these predictions, NiMet urged the public to refrain from traveling or driving during heavy downpours. States with elevated flood risks were advised to activate emergency protocols to ensure public safety.
The agency also recommended that vulnerable populations wear warm clothing due to lower nighttime temperatures and encouraged residents to secure loose objects to prevent hazards. Citizens were also advised to disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms and avoid tall trees to reduce the risk of injury from falling branches or trees.
Furthermore, NiMet reminded airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather information for efficient and safe planning of flight operations.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated by regularly checking weather bulletins via NiMet’s official website at www.nimet.gov.ng.
What you should know
NiMet’s three-day forecast highlights significant weather activity across Nigeria, including thunderstorms, light to moderate rainfall, and flood threats in both urban and rural areas.
The advisory targets both residents and service operators, urging timely precautions to minimize risk and ensure public safety.
