Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for the upcoming week predicts heavy rainfall across 14 states in Nigeria. These states, including Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ekiti, and Osun, are expected to experience significant precipitation. This weather pattern is attributed to the strong Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) over West Africa, which will lead to increased moisture influx and velocity divergence, thereby enhancing the likelihood of heavy rainfall. NiMet’s latest weekly weather forecast bulletin, released on Tuesday, covers predictions from June 18th to June 24th, 2024.
During this period, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is forecasted to be robust across West Africa, resulting in enhanced moisture influx and velocity divergence. This atmospheric phenomenon significantly increases the chances of heavy rainfall in the aforementioned states.
NiMet also anticipates moderate to heavy rainfall in several other states such as Zamfara, Kano, Borno, Gombe, Adamawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra.
Conversely, parts of Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, and Yobe States are expected to experience low rainfall, while the rest of the country should prepare for low to moderate rainfall levels.
NiMet has cautioned about potential flash floods in areas experiencing heavy rainfall, which could disrupt vehicular traffic and pose risks to low-lying regions. The agency advises the public to take necessary safety precautions, including avoiding walking through fast-flowing runoff waters.
In addition to rainfall predictions, NiMet has provided temperature forecasts across various states for the upcoming week. Maximum temperatures are expected to range from 35 – 40oC in parts of Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, and Borno states. Meanwhile, temperatures are anticipated to range between 30 – 35oC in Lagos, Rivers, Taraba, kaduna , Delta, Bayelsa, and plateau states.
Minimum temperatures are projected to range from 15 – 20oC in parts of Plateau states and from 25 – 30oC in Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi , Jigawa, Bauchi, Borno , Gombe, Yobe state, with other regions expecting temperatures above 20 – 25oC.
