NiMet Warns of Three Days of Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain and Possible Flash Floods Across Nigeria
NiMet forecasts thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from September 9 to 11, while warning that five southern states could experience flash flooding.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms, cloudy conditions and moderate rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Wednesday, September 9, to Friday, September 11, 2026, with possible flash flooding identified in parts of five southern states.
The three-day weather outlook, issued by NiMet on Tuesday, September 8, covers different regions of the country and does not mean that every part of Nigeria will experience the same weather conditions at the same time. Instead, the agency expects varying combinations of cloudy skies, thunderstorms and rainfall across different states during the period.
For Wednesday, NiMet forecast patches of cloud over the northern region, with morning thunderstorms and light rainfall possible over parts of Taraba and Kebbi. Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall were expected over parts of Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna.
In the North-Central region, morning thunderstorms with light rainfall were expected over parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory. The agency forecast that thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall could become more widespread across parts of the region during the afternoon and evening.
Southern states were expected to remain generally cloudy on Wednesday, with morning rainfall possible over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom. Moderate rainfall was also expected across much of the southern region later in the day.
NiMet’s outlook for Thursday and Friday maintains the possibility of thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of the country, with weather conditions expected to vary by location and time of day.
On Friday, the agency forecast morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over parts of Taraba and Adamawa, followed by afternoon and evening thunderstorms across several northern states, including Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.
The North-Central region could also experience thunderstorms and rainfall during the period, including parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger.
In the South, NiMet forecast cloudy conditions with moderate morning rainfall possible over parts of Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, with rainfall expected in other parts of the region later in the day.
NiMet also identified parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River as areas where flash flooding could occur during the forecast period.
The agency urged residents and relevant authorities in vulnerable locations to take appropriate precautions and remain alert to changes in weather conditions, particularly in areas that are prone to flooding.
Residents were also advised to secure loose objects around homes and workplaces because strong winds may accompany thunderstorms and could displace unsecured materials or damage weak structures.
Motorists were urged to exercise caution during heavy rainfall because of reduced visibility and difficult road conditions, while residents were advised to avoid flooded roads and areas where water levels are rising.
NiMet further advised residents to disconnect electrical appliances from power sources during thunderstorms and avoid standing under tall trees because of the risk of falling branches.
The agency also advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather information from NiMet when planning flight operations during the period.
The latest three-day outlook follows a separate severe-weather alert issued by NiMet on September 8 concerning thunderstorms developing over parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Borno. The earlier alert focused on storms expected to move westward, while the latest bulletin provides a broader weather outlook covering September 9 to 11.
NiMet’s forecast does not indicate that Nigeria will experience one nationwide storm. Rather, it points to a period of unsettled weather in which different parts of the country may experience thunderstorms, light or moderate rainfall and cloudy conditions at different times.
Residents, particularly those living or working in flood-prone areas, are advised to monitor official weather updates and take necessary precautions throughout the forecast period.
