NiMet Forecasts 3-Day Rain, Thunderstorms Nationwide

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted three days of rainfall and thunderstorms across the country, beginning on Sunday and lasting through Tuesday.

In a statement released in Abuja on Saturday, the agency said moderate rainfall is expected over parts of Jigawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Borno and Adamawa on Sunday morning, while thunderstorms with moderate rains are likely later in the day across Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and several other northern states. It warned of possible flooding in parts of Kebbi, Gombe and Bauchi during the period.

For the central region, NiMet forecast light intermittent rains over Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory and Niger in the morning, with showers later in the day across Nasarawa, Benue, Kwara and Kogi. Flooding is also likely in Niger, Plateau, Kogi and Benue. In the south, cloudy skies are expected in the morning, followed by moderate rains in states including Enugu, Anambra, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. Osun is at particular risk of flooding.

On Monday, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated in Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kaduna. The central region will experience light rains in the morning across the FCT, Nasarawa, Benue and Niger, with intermittent rains later in Niger, Plateau, Kwara and Benue. Cloudy skies are expected in the southern region in the morning, giving way to light rains in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa and Lagos.

For Tuesday, the agency predicted morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna, while Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and Adamawa are expected to experience further thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. In the central region, cloudy skies will dominate the morning, with moderate rains later in the FCT, Niger and Plateau. In the south, cloudy conditions are expected early, followed by light rainfall in Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Cross River and Lagos.

NiMet advised motorists to avoid driving under heavy rain and urged states at risk of flash floods to activate emergency response plans. Farmers were cautioned against applying fertiliser and pesticides immediately before rainfall to prevent nutrient loss, while residents were reminded to secure loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances during storms and avoid tall trees. The agency also advised airline operators to obtain location-specific weather reports to aid flight planning.

It further encouraged the public, especially vulnerable persons, to ensure warm clothing due to low night-time temperatures, and to stay informed through regular weather updates available on its website, [www.nimet.gov.ng](http://www.nimet.gov.ng).