In a weather outlook released on Friday in Abuja, NiMet presented a comprehensive forecast, highlighting various weather patterns and potential occurrences.
The agency anticipates a blend of cloudy skies and intervals of sunshine over the northern regions on Saturday. Furthermore, there is a likelihood of early morning thunderstorms over specific areas such as Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba. Isolated thunderstorms are also expected to develop later in the day in parts of Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, and Gombe.
As the day progresses, a cloudy atmosphere is expected to envelop the North-Central region, with the possibility of morning rains over areas including Kogi, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Nasarawa. Subsequently, intermittent rains and thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kwara, Benue, and Kogi.
In the southern regions, both inland and coastal states, a cloudy start to the morning is projected, with intermittent rains anticipated over several areas such as Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Ebonyi states. Similar weather conditions are expected to persist through the day, with intermittent rains anticipated over regions including Lagos, Ekiti, Edo, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, and Delta.
As the weekend unfolds, NiMet foresees a continuation of the mix of cloudiness and sunshine over the northern region on Sunday. The morning hours may bring thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, followed by thunderstorms over areas like Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, and Katsina later in the day.
Moving to the North-Central region, cloudy conditions are expected in the morning, with the potential for rains and thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kwara. The day's progression could see intermittent rains over parts of Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Kwara, and Nasarawa.
Across the southern regions, a similar pattern emerges, with a cloudy morning forecast, accompanied by the likelihood of morning rains over locations like Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, and Edo. Later in the day, intermittent rains are anticipated over various areas such as Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Abia, Imo, Ekiti, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers.
Finally, on Monday, NiMet predicts a continuation of cloudy skies in the northern region during the morning hours, with intervals of sunshine. Thunderstorms are expected to develop later in the day over regions including Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi.
For the North-Central region, a cloudy atmosphere is forecasted in the morning, potentially leading to early morning rains over parts of Benue, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory. Subsequently, thunderstorms, along with intermittent rains, are expected over states such as Kwara, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory.
In the southern states, both coastal and inland, a cloudy start to the morning is predicted, followed by intermittent rains over the entire region as the day progresses.
NiMet has offered a word of caution to airline operators, advising them to stay updated with periodic weather reports and alerts to facilitate effective operational planning. The agency also emphasised that moderate to heavy rainfall could result in flash floods and urged the public to exercise caution, avoiding driving and walking through floodwaters.
Furthermore, NiMet underscored the importance of proactive disaster management and encouraged individuals, agencies, and disaster risk managers to take preventive measures to mitigate the potential loss of lives and properties during the rainy season. As Nigerians prepare for the weekend and beyond, the nation's meteorological agency has provided essential insights to guide their activities and safety considerations.