This week, Nigerians should watch the skies. Dust haze will affect northern states, while thunderstorms are expected in the south. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warns that conditions will shift between sunny skies, clouds, and rain from Monday to Wednesday.

Everywhere you look, weather patterns are already showing signs of change. NiMet’s forecast, released Sunday in Abuja, predicted slight dust haze over Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, and parts of Kaduna States on Monday, while most other northern areas will enjoy sunny skies.

Southern Taraba might experience isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, while central states are likely to see sunny conditions with patches of clouds. NiMet added that isolated storms may also develop later in the day over Benue and Kogi States, as the southern region remains generally cloudy with chances of light morning rainfall.

Also Read: NiMet warns of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall nationwide

NiMet highlighted that later on Monday, thunderstorms may hit parts of Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos States, with moderate rainfall expected in some southwestern and southeastern regions by evening. A broader set of states could see isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains later in the day, including Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta.

On Tuesday, northern areas will enjoy sunny and hazy conditions, while southern Taraba could again see isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Central states are forecast to have sunny skies with occasional clouds, with possible isolated storms in parts of Kogi, Benue, and Kwara States.

NiMet also predicted cloudy mornings in Ogun, Lagos, and Cross River States, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall developing later in the afternoon and evening. The states likely to experience moderate rainfall include Ogun, Edo, Enugu, Ondo, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta.

By Wednesday, sunny skies are expected across northern Nigeria and central regions, though thunderstorms could develop later in some areas. Afternoon and evening showers may hit Kwara, Benue, and Kogi States. In the south, cloudy conditions will dominate the morning over Cross River, Rivers, and Delta States, with moderate thunderstorms likely later across other coastal and inland areas. Affected states may include Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

NiMet warned motorists to drive carefully under rainy and hazy conditions, noting that dust particles could linger over northern states, reducing visibility and affecting air quality. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are advised to take precautions against dust exposure and remain indoors during periods of heavy haze.

The agency also advised airline operators to consult airport-specific weather reports and flight documentation from NiMet to avoid delays or disruptions.

Anita Chinedu