The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a three-day weather forecast warning of thunderstorms, significant rainfall, and potential flooding in several states across the country from Monday through Wednesday.
The advisory, released on Sunday in Abuja, urges residents, farmers, and transport operators to prepare for potentially disruptive weather conditions.
For Monday, NiMet projects morning thunderstorms over much of the northern region, with moderate rainfall expected in areas including Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States. Later in the day, parts of Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba, and Adamawa are expected to experience additional thunderstorms and rain. The agency cautioned that parts of Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto face a heightened risk of flooding.
In the central region, light rain is forecast over parts of Niger State during the morning, with thunderstorms and light showers predicted for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and Kogi later in the day. Flood risks are anticipated in parts of Plateau, Nasarawa, and Niger States.
The southern region is expected to have cloudy skies in the morning, with intermittent light rain in Ebonyi, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States. By afternoon and evening, moderate rainfall is likely in Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom. Flooding risks are high in Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
On Tuesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rain are forecast for Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, and Kaduna States. The afternoon and evening are expected to bring further thunderstorms to Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Gombe. Light rain is expected in parts of the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi in the morning, followed by thunderstorms and light showers across these areas and Kwara later in the day. In the south, light morning rain is anticipated in Oyo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Lagos, and Bayelsa, with rainfall continuing through the day.
By Wednesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rain are predicted in Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, extending across the entire northern region in the afternoon and evening. The central states of Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Plateau will see light rain in the morning, followed by thunderstorms later. In the south, morning light rain is expected in Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Bayelsa, with continuous rain likely through the afternoon and evening.
NiMet’s advisory warns residents in flood-prone areas to activate emergency response measures. It also cautions drivers to avoid travel during heavy downpours and urges farmers to delay fertiliser or pesticide application to prevent nutrient loss. Vulnerable individuals are advised to wear warm clothing during cooler nights, while residents should secure loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances during storms, and avoid sheltering under tall trees.
Airline operators are advised to obtain location-specific weather information from NiMet for flight planning, and the public is encouraged to stay updated via the agency’s official website.
What You Should Know
NiMet is forecasting widespread thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday, with a high risk of flooding in multiple states.
The agency has issued safety guidelines for residents, farmers, drivers, and airline operators, warning of potentially hazardous conditions.
