The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Monday through Wednesday, with the possibility of flash floods in some states.
In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet projected isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains on Monday morning in Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba states.
More thunderstorms are expected across the northern region later in the day, with Adamawa, Taraba, and Gombe identified as high-risk flood areas.
For the central region, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected on Monday morning, with moderate rainfall over Niger, Kogi, Kwara, the FCT, and Benue. Thunderstorms are anticipated later in the day across much of the region.
In the south, NiMet predicted cloudy conditions on Monday morning, with moderate rains likely in Ekiti, Ondo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. More rainfall is forecast for later in the day across the entire region.
On Tuesday, the northern region will experience cloudy skies with sunshine intervals, giving way to thunderstorms in Borno, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba, and Adamawa in the morning.
Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected in Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Taraba.
The central region is forecast to remain cloudy on Tuesday morning, with rains expected in Kogi, Niger, the FCT, Kwara, and Nasarawa, followed by thunderstorms in Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, and the FCT.
In the south, cloudy skies with moderate rains are expected in Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Delta, with heavier rainfall likely later in the day.
By Wednesday, light rains are expected in the morning over the FCT, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger, while thunderstorms will develop later in Benue, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger.
The southern region will remain mostly cloudy, with moderate rains expected in the afternoon and evening.
NiMet urged motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall and advised farmers not to apply fertiliser or pesticides immediately before rains to prevent losses.
Residents were also cautioned to secure loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances, and avoid taking shelter under trees during storms.
Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific forecasts for proper planning, while residents were encouraged to monitor NiMet updates via its official website.