NiMet Predicts Three-Day Dust Haze, Thunderstorms Nationwide

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on Sunday predicted a three-day dust haze and thunderstorms across the country.

According to NiMet, the dust haze with a visibility range of 1km to 3km and localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000m will take place from Monday to Wednesday.

The report reads, “There are prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba state later in the day.

“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Niger states in the morning while visibility values are expected to be between 2km to 5 km over the North Central states due to the dust in suspension.

“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and Benue states in the afternoon and evening.

“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Cross River, Rivers, Lagos, Delta and Akwa Ibom states during the morning hours.”

The agency also predicted thunderstorms with rains over parts of Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Imo Oyo, Imo, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Lagos States later in the day.

The agency said that moderate dust haze with a visibility range of 2km to 5km and localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000m was expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Tuesday.

It forecasted a hazy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine over the North Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Benue.

NiMet predicted thunderstorms over parts of Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Benue and Kwara states later in the day.

The report further reads, “Cloudy morning is expected over the Southern region with prospects of thunderstorms and rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ogun, Edo, Oyo, Delta, Osun, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Lagos states.”

NiMet anticipated moderate dust haze on Wednesday with a visibility range of 2km to 5km over the North throughout the forecast period.

It predicted cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine over the North Central region during the morning hours.

It added, “In the afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kwara, Benue and Nasarawa states. Cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are anticipated over the Southern region in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Lagos and Bayelsa states.”

NiMet claimed that moderate to heavy rainfall can lead to flash floods and advised the public to take necessary caution, and avoid driving and walking through flood waters.

It advised citizens to take necessary safety precautions as strong winds would likely precede and accompany the thunderstorms.

The report concluded, “Disaster Risk Managers, Agencies and individuals should be proactive, to avert loss of lives and property during the rainy season.

“All Airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports and alerts periodically from NiMet for effective planning for their operations.”