The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast predicting dust haze and thunderstorms across various regions of the country from Friday to Sunday.
The agency, in its latest weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja, has urged the public, especially those with respiratory conditions, to take necessary precautions due to the suspended dust particles in the atmosphere.
NiMet expects moderate dust haze across the North and North Central regions. However, thicker dust haze, which could reduce visibility to 1,000 meters or less, is anticipated in parts of Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Kaduna, Borno, and Jigawa throughout the day.
In the South, residents can expect cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine, with a possibility of isolated thunderstorms later in the afternoon and evening over Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers States.
The weather pattern remains largely the same on Saturday, with moderate dust haze expected to persist in the Northern region throughout the day. In the North Central region, slight dust haze will dominate the morning and evening periods. Meanwhile, in the Southern region, the forecast predicts cloudy conditions with sunshine spells, followed by thunderstorms in parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta States.
NiMet anticipates slight dust haze across the North and North Central regions for most of Sunday. The Southern states will continue to experience cloudy skies with sunshine intervals, with isolated thunderstorms expected later in the day over Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
NiMet has advised the public to take necessary precautions, particularly individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions, as dust particles in the air could trigger health issues.
The agency has also warned that strong winds may precede thunderstorms in the affected areas, urging residents to take necessary safety measures. Furthermore, airline operators have been advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports for proper flight planning to ensure passenger safety.
As Nigeria moves through this period of unpredictable weather, NiMet continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow safety guidelines to avoid any adverse effects caused by these weather conditions.
