NiMet warns motorists not to drive in heavy rain and airlines to obtain weather reports for flight documentation – THIS UPDATE

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned motorists to avoid driving in heavy rain as it expects a combination of sunny, cloudy conditions, thunderstorms and light to moderate rain in some parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday.

The agency, in its weather forecast released Sunday, also advised members of the public to take precautions against risks associated with storms, including strong winds, falling branches and flying objects.

NiMet said sunny skies with a few patches of clouds will dominate the northern region on Monday, although isolated thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rainfall are expected over parts of Taraba state during the afternoon and evening.

For the Central-North region the agency predicts a cloudy climate with sunny intervals over the three days.

In the southern region, NiMet has predicted generally cloudy conditions with spells of sunshine and the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. I

He said the chance of thunderstorms and moderate rain will increase throughout the day in several southern states.

“Later in the day, there are prospects of thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall over parts of Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states,” the agency said.

For Tuesday, NiMet forecast sunny weather with some patches of clouds in the northern region, with isolated thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall again expected over parts of Taraba state later in the day.

The north-central region is expected to remain cloudy with sunny intervals, while similar conditions are expected across the southern region.

However, NiMet forecast thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall over parts of Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta states later on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, sunny weather is expected with some patches of clouds in the North, while in the Centre-North it will remain cloudy with some clear spells.

The southern region is also expected to experience cloudy conditions with intervals of sunshine, with prospects of thunderstorms and moderate rain over parts of Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states later in the day.

In addition to the rainfall forecast, NiMet has issued a series of safety advisories to reduce the risk of crashes and other weather-related incidents.

The agency warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms in areas where heavy rain is expected, urging residents to secure loose objects that could be blown away and cause injuries or collisions.

“Strong winds may precede rainfall in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur. The public should take appropriate precautions and ensure loose objects are secured to avoid collisions,” it said.

NiMet specifically warned motorists against driving during heavy rain, a condition that can significantly reduce visibility and make roads dangerous.

“You should avoid driving in heavy rain,” the agency advised.

He also urged residents to unplug electrical appliances from power outlets during storms and to stay away from tall trees to avoid injury from falling branches or broken trees.

NiMet has also directed airline operators to make greater use of its specialized weather information in flight planning.

“Airline operators are advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning of their operations,” the agency said.

The advice is especially important during periods of unstable weather, when thunderstorms, high winds, reduced visibility and precipitation can affect flight operations and airport conditions.

Airport-specific forecasts and other weather information allow operators to assess prevailing and expected weather conditions along flight routes and at destination airports, helping them make informed operational decisions.

NiMet advised aircraft operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from the agency as part of their flight documentation, stressing that such information is essential for effective operational planning and aviation safety.

Despite rainfall forecasts, NiMet said temperatures were expected to remain high in many parts of the country, potentially causing thermal distress.

He advised residents to wear breathable clothing, stay in well-ventilated areas and stay adequately hydrated.

The agency also urged the public to stay abreast of changing weather conditions through regular updates and alerts.

NiMet encouraged members of the public to access its official website, www.nimet.gov.ngfor information and weather updates.