NiMet predicts 3-day dust haze from Friday to Sunday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast anticipating a three-day spell of dust haze across the country.

The forecast spans from Friday to Sunday, revealing specific regional weather conditions during this period.

In the northern states, NiMet predicts dust haze with localized visibility of less than or equal to 1000 meters, while also forecasting chances of thunderstorms in parts of Taraba during the afternoon and evening hours.

The North Central region is expected to experience sunny skies with few cloud patches in the morning, followed by localized thunderstorms in parts of Benue, Kogi, and Kwara in the afternoon and evening.

The Inland states of the South and Coastal areas will have cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine in the morning and the possibility of thunderstorms in parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. Later in the day, thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states.

On Saturday, the Northern states are expected to have a sunny and hazy atmosphere throughout the day, with prospects of thunderstorms in parts of Taraba during the afternoon and evening. The North Central region will have sunny skies with a few cloud patches in the morning, and localized thunderstorms are expected over parts of Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, and Benue later in the day.

The Inland states of the South and Coastal areas will experience cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine in the morning, along with the possibility of morning thunderstorms in parts of Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

In the afternoon and evening, localized thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta states.

For Sunday, NiMet foresees a sunny and hazy atmosphere in the northern region, with isolated thunderstorms expected in parts of Adamawa and Taraba during the afternoon and evening. The North Central region will have a sunny atmosphere with few patches of cloud in the morning, and isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Benue later in the day.

NiMet also predicted a cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine in the morning, followed by localized thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening over Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Lagos states.

The agency further noted the presence of suspended dust particles and advised the public to take necessary precautions, especially individuals with asthma and respiratory issues, that they should exercise caution.

Night-time cold temperatures are also on a high and airline operators are advised to stay updated on weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.