The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast dust haze, thunderstorms and varying rainfall patterns across parts of the country between Monday and Wednesday, warning residents to take precautions against weather-related hazards.
In its three-day weather outlook released in Abuja on Sunday, NiMet predicted slight dust haze over Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto on Monday.
The agency said the North-East would experience sunny conditions throughout the period, while parts of the North-Central region would witness sunny skies, cloud patches and possible thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall.
The affected states include Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory.
Across southern Nigeria, NiMet forecast cloudy skies with sunshine intervals and possible morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rain in coastal areas.
It also predicted scattered thunderstorms and light rainfall later in the day over parts of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
For Tuesday, the agency anticipated sunny and hazy conditions across the northern states, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain possible over southern Taraba.
The North-Central region is expected to experience sunny and hazy skies with patches of clouds, while morning thunderstorms are possible over Benue. Other parts of the region could experience thunderstorms and light rain later in the day.
In the South, morning rainfall is expected in parts of Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa, with cloudy conditions and sunshine intervals across the region.
NiMet further forecast sunny and hazy conditions across the North on Wednesday, while the North-Central region would experience sunny skies with patches of clouds and possible afternoon thunderstorms over parts of Kwara.
The South is expected to experience cloudy skies in the morning, followed by thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across most areas later in the day.
Safety precautions
Advising residents to take necessary precautions, NiMet warned that suspended dust particles could worsen respiratory conditions, particularly among people living with asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
The agency urged vulnerable persons to minimise exposure to dust and take appropriate protective measures.
It also warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms, advising residents to secure loose objects that could be blown away.
NiMet further recommended disconnecting electrical appliances from power sockets during storms and avoiding shelter under tall trees to prevent injuries from falling branches.
For the aviation sector, the agency advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports and flight documentation to support effective operational planning and enhance flight safety.
It urged members of the public to monitor changing weather conditions and obtain regular updates through its official website.
