The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Sunday to Tuesday.

In a weather outlook released Saturday in Abuja, NiMet said thunderstorms and moderate rains are expected Sunday morning in parts of Taraba and Adamawa states in the northern region. By afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with rain are likely in Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno, Gombe, and Bauchi.

For the North-Central region, a cloudy morning is expected, followed by thunderstorms and rain in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau later in the day.

In the southern states, morning skies will be mostly cloudy, while later in the day, rain showers are expected in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa.

Monday’s Forecast:

NiMet predicts morning thunderstorms with rainfall in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Bauchi. By afternoon and evening, this will expand to include Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Sokoto.

In the North-Central region, morning rains and thunderstorms are expected in FCT, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa. Later in the day, similar weather is forecast for Plateau, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, and Benue.

Southern Nigeria may experience morning showers in Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom, with more widespread rains expected across the region in the afternoon and evening.

Tuesday’s Outlook:

In the North, isolated morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected in Zamfara and Kaduna, with more widespread storms forecast for Taraba, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, and Kaduna later in the day.

Morning thunderstorms are likely in parts of Niger, Plateau, and Benue in the North-Central region, with afternoon rain expected across FCT, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Kwara, and Plateau.

Lagos and Bayelsa are forecast to see morning showers in the South, with rain expected across the entire southern region throughout the day.

Safety Advisory:

NiMet urged the public to take precautions, warning that strong winds may precede thunderstorms. Residents are advised to:

• Secure loose objects to prevent damage or injury

• Avoid driving during heavy rain

• Disconnect electrical appliances to prevent power surge damage

• Stay away from tall trees due to the risk of falling branches

The agency also advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather updates for flight planning and urged all residents to stay informed through NiMet’s daily weather reports.