NiMet Forecasts Sunshine, Thunderstorms Nationwide This Weekend

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted a mix of sunshine and thunderstorms across the country from Saturday to Monday.

In its three-day weather outlook released on Friday in Abuja, NiMet forecast sunny skies with patches of cloud over the northern region on Saturday, with chances of morning thunderstorms in Taraba and Adamawa States. Thunderstorms are also expected later in the day over parts of Zamfara, Adamawa, Kebbi, Taraba, and Kaduna.

For the North-Central region, the agency predicted partly cloudy skies in the morning, with isolated thunderstorms expected in the afternoon and evening across the FCT, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Plateau, and Nasarawa States.

In the South, cloudy conditions are expected in the morning with possible rainfall in coastal areas such as Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa. Afternoon and evening showers are likely in Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Imo, Abia, Edo, Ebonyi, Enugu, and other southern states.

Sunday’s forecast indicates sunny skies in the North with isolated thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected later in the day in parts of Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, and Adamawa.

The North-Central zone will see partly cloudy morning conditions, followed by isolated thunderstorms over Kwara, the FCT, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Niger later in the day.

In the Southern region, early morning showers are expected in Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom. Afternoon and evening rains are forecast across most southern states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Enugu.

On Monday, NiMet anticipates morning thunderstorms across parts of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, and Gombe. Later in the day, thunderstorms with rain are expected over Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, and Zamfara.

The North-Central region is expected to have cloudy skies in the morning, with thunderstorms later. The Southern region will also see cloudy morning conditions and isolated rain showers by afternoon and evening.

NiMet urged Nigerians to take precautionary measures, noting that strong winds may accompany thunderstorms. The public is advised to secure loose objects, avoid driving in heavy rain, and disconnect electrical appliances during storms.

“Stay away from tall trees and broken branches,” NiMet warned, also advising airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports for flight planning.