The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Sunday through Tuesday, warning residents and road users to prepare for potentially hazardous weather conditions.
The three-day forecast, issued by the agency in Abuja, indicates varying weather patterns across the northern, North-central and southern parts of the country.
NiMet also warned that some thunderstorms could be accompanied by strong winds, urging residents, motorists and other road users to exercise caution as the weather changes.
On Sunday, the northern region is expected to experience sunny conditions with patches of cloud.
However, early morning thunderstorms and light rainfall are possible in parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno, Taraba and Adamawa states.
NiMet expects the weather to become more unsettled later in the day, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall forecast over most parts of the region during the afternoon and evening.
The agency advised residents in affected areas to remain alert, particularly where thunderstorms are accompanied by strong winds.
The North-central region is also expected to experience a mixture of sunshine and cloud cover.
On Sunday morning, thunderstorms and light rain are possible in parts of Kwara, Niger, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory.
By afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected across most parts of the region.
The forecast means residents in Abuja and surrounding areas should be prepared for changing weather conditions, particularly later in the day.
Southern states are expected to remain largely cloudy during the forecast period.
On Sunday morning, light rainfall is expected in parts of Oyo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
Moderate rainfall is forecast later in the day across several states, including Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
The widespread forecast suggests that residents across the South should expect intermittent rainfall rather than prolonged dry conditions.
NiMet expects the weather pattern to continue into Monday.
In the northern region, sunny skies with patches of cloud are expected in the morning, while parts of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara could experience thunderstorms and moderate rainfall.
By the afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected in parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba and Adamawa states.
The North-central region is expected to experience cloudy conditions with spells of sunshine.
Morning thunderstorms and moderate rainfall are possible in parts of Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory, while other areas could experience more sunshine and patches of cloud later in the day.
Across southern Nigeria, cloudy conditions are expected to persist, with light morning rainfall likely over much of the South-west.
Moderate rainfall is expected across parts of the South-south and South-east later in the day.
On Tuesday, NiMet expects the northern region to experience sunny conditions with a few patches of cloud during the morning.
Thunderstorms and moderate rainfall are expected later in the day in parts of Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna and the North-east.
The agency said strong winds could develop ahead of thunderstorms in some locations.
It therefore advised members of the public to take appropriate precautions and remain attentive to weather alerts.
