The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rainfall in several parts of the country from Monday through Wednesday.
In its three-day weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency forecast isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains on Monday morning over Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba states.
According to NiMet, flash floods are likely in Adamawa, Taraba, and Gombe.
For the central states, including Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory, NiMet projected a cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals on Monday morning, followed by thunderstorms later in the day.
In the southern region, cloudy skies are expected in the morning with moderate rains over Ekiti, Ondo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. More widespread rainfall is anticipated later in the day.
On Tuesday, cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are expected over the northern states. NiMet said isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains will occur in Borno, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba, and Adamawa in the morning, while Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Taraba will experience more thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.
The central region is forecast to see moderate rains in Kogi, Niger, Kwara, the FCT, and Nasarawa, with thunderstorms likely later in the day.
For the southern states, NiMet predicted moderate rainfall in Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Delta in the morning, with light to moderate rainfall across most of the region later.
By Wednesday, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the north, with slim chances of thunderstorms and light rain in Sokoto and Zamfara in the morning.
In the afternoon and evening, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto are to experience isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains.
The central region will see cloudy skies with light rains in the FCT, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger in the morning, while Benue, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger will record thunderstorms and moderate rains later in the day.
For the south, cloudy skies are forecast in the morning, with moderate rainfall expected as the day progresses.
NiMet urged motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall, warning of possible flash floods in flood-prone areas. Farmers were also advised against applying fertilisers or pesticides immediately before rain to prevent nutrient wash-off.
Residents were encouraged to fasten loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances, and avoid tall trees during thunderstorms. Airline operators were asked to always obtain airport-specific weather reports to aid safe planning.
The agency further encouraged Nigerians to follow daily updates on its website, www.nimet.gov.ng, for timely weather information.