NiMet: Thunderstorms Hit North, Centre, South Monday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned of thunderstorms, rainfall and strong winds across parts of the country on Monday, April 13, urging residents and operators to take safety precautions.

In its forecast released on Sunday, NiMet said northern states will experience sunny conditions in the morning, with “isolated thunderstorms over Adamawa and Taraba” expected later in the day. It added that “hot and sunny conditions will prevail in most areas during the morning,” before giving way to localised rainfall, lightning and gusty winds in the afternoon and evening.

For the central region, the agency projected cloudy conditions in the morning with intervals of sunshine, followed by thunderstorms in several areas, including Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory. It noted that “a calm and warm morning may give way to thunderstorms later in the day,” advising early planning for outdoor activities.

In the southern states, NiMet warned of “cloudy skies with chances of isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains” across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, adding that storm activity is expected to increase in coverage and intensity later in the day, with possible disruptions.

The agency also issued safety advisories, stating that “strong winds may precede thunderstorms” and urging residents to secure loose objects. It warned motorists to drive cautiously due to reduced visibility and slippery roads, and advised against staying in flood-prone areas during heavy rainfall.

NiMet further cautioned that “lightning strikes are possible,” urging the public to seek shelter during storms, while recommending that airlines obtain airport-specific weather reports for safe operations.

The advisory comes as Nigeria navigates seasonal weather transitions, with meteorological patterns shifting across geopolitical zones during the April period.