The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across various parts of the country from Saturday, June 14, to Monday, June 16.
In its weather outlook released Friday in Abuja, NiMet predicted early morning thunderstorms on Saturday in parts of Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa States in the North. Later in the day, rain and thunderstorms are also expected in Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi.
For the North-Central region, morning thunderstorms are anticipated over Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with later occurrences in Kwara and Kogi States.
Southern Nigeria is expected to see a cloudy start, with morning rains likely over Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa. Isolated thunderstorms with rain are forecast for the rest of the region in the afternoon and evening.
On Sunday, morning thunderstorms are expected in Kaduna, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba. Later in the day, the storms will spread to Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Gombe, Bauchi, and Kaduna.
In the North-Central, cloudy conditions with intervals of sunshine and morning thunderstorms are expected in Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and the FCT. These may intensify later in the day.
Southern areas including Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River should expect morning thunderstorms. Rain and thunderstorms are likely across most parts of the South by evening.
By Monday, early morning thunderstorms are predicted in Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba. Later storms are expected to affect Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kaduna.
Cloudy conditions with intermittent sunshine will persist in the North-Central, with thunderstorms expected in FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, and Niger. Kwara and Plateau will likely see afternoon or evening storms.
In the South, morning rains are forecast in Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Delta, and Bayelsa, followed by isolated thunderstorms across the region later in the day.
NiMet advised the public to take precautions against possible strong winds preceding rainfall, secure loose items, and avoid driving in heavy rain. The public is also urged to unplug electrical appliances during storms and avoid sheltering under trees.
Airline operators are encouraged to obtain flight-specific weather reports from NiMet for safe operations. For updates, visit www.nimet.gov.ng.