By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast dust haze and cloudy conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday.
In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency predicted slight dust haze over the northern region on Monday, which is expected to persist throughout the forecast period. According to NiMet, states such as Borno and Yobe will experience moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility ranging between 2km and 5km during the period.
For the North Central region, slight dust haze is expected to prevail throughout the three days.
In the southern region, NiMet projected a cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine. There are slim chances of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. Later in the day, thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall are anticipated in parts of Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
On Tuesday, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility between 2km and 5km is expected to persist across the northern region, while the North Central zone will continue to experience slight dust haze. The southern region will remain cloudy with intervals of sunshine and possible morning thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. Light rains and thunderstorms are also forecast later in the day over Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
By Wednesday, NiMet anticipates thick dust haze over the northern and North Central regions. The southern region is expected to maintain cloudy conditions with intervals of sunshine, alongside chances of morning thunderstorms in parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. Later in the day, thunderstorms with light rains are predicted over Bayelsa, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
NiMet urged the public to take necessary precautions, noting that dust particles will be in suspension over the northern, North Central and inland southern states. The agency advised individuals with asthma and other respiratory conditions to be cautious. It also urged motorists to drive carefully during rainfall and advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective flight planning
