The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of moderate to heavy rainfall that could cause flash floods. It also predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Monday to Wednesday across the nation.

NiMet`s weather outlook released on Sunday forecast cloudy skies on Monday with intervals of sunshine over the northern region.

It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi in the morning.

It said isolated thunderstorms are likely in Bauchi, Taraba, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna and Adamawa.

Cloudy atmosphere is anticipated in the North-Central with prospects of isolated thunderstorms and rains over parts of Plateau, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory in the morning.

Later in the day, rains and thunderstorms are likely in Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and Abuja, said the forecast, adding that cloudiness is expected in inland states of the South and the coastal states in the morning.

It forecast intermittent rains over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Delta.

It further forecast intermittent rains in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross River later in the day.

NiMet said cloudiness on Tuesday with intervals of sunshine would occur in the North in the morning.

The agency predicted thunderstorms in Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba.

“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, Kano and Borno states during the afternoon to evening hours. Cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the North central region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Niger, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours,” stated the NiMet report.

It added, “Isolated thunderstorms with rains are envisaged over parts of Benue, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory during the afternoon to evening hours.”

NiMet predicted cloudiness in the inland and coastal cities of the South, with prospects of rains over parts of Ondo, Osun, Imo, Edo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states in the morning hours.

NiMet forecast intermittent rains in Oyo, Edo, Abia, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta later in the day, with cloudy skies expected on Wednesday with sunshine intervals in the North with slim prospects of morning thunderstorms in Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa.

“Later in the day, widespread thunderstorms are anticipated across the region. Cloudy atmosphere is expected over North central region in the morning hours with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Niger, Nasarawa and Abuja.

Later in the day, thunderstorms and rains are expected in Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Niger and Abuja.

Cloudiness is expected in inland states of the South and the coastal states in the morning with chances of intermittent rains in Osun, Imo, Cross River, Delta, Lagos and Bayelsa.

NiMet said thunderstorms with rains were expected in the South later in the day.

It warned that moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods.

“The public is advised to take necessary caution, avoid driving and walking through flood waters. Disaster risk managers, agencies and individuals should be proactive to avert loss of lives and property during the rainy season,“ it said.

(NAN)