The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast a mix of dust haze and cloudiness across Nigeria this week, urging residents to take health and safety precautions.
In its latest weekly weather outlook released in Abuja, the agency said slight dust haze will dominate much of the northern region with moderate conditions expected in some states.
“Across the northern region, a slight dust haze is anticipated throughout the forecast period,” NiMet said. “However, Borno and Yobe states are likely to experience moderate dust haze, with horizontal visibility ranging from two to five kilometres.”
For the North Central region, the agency projected persistent slight dust haze during the same period.
NiMet said the southern region will experience generally cloudy conditions with intervals of sunshine. “There are slim chances of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states,” the agency noted.
It added that later in the day, thunderstorms accompanied by light rains are expected over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
The weather outlook shows a continuation of dust haze in the northern region. “Moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of two to five kilometres is anticipated across the northern region throughout the forecast period,” NiMet said, adding that the North Central region will also experience slight dust haze.
The agency further predicted cloudy skies with sunshine intervals in the southern states, with morning thunderstorms likely over parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, while evening thunderstorms with light rainfall are expected over Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
Looking ahead, NiMet warned of worsening conditions, particularly in the northern and North Central regions. “A thick dust haze is anticipated across the northern and North Central regions throughout the forecast period,” it stated.
The agency also maintained that the southern region will remain cloudy with intervals of sunshine, alongside morning thunderstorms in parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom, and later-day rainfall across Bayelsa, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
NiMet advised Nigerians to take precautionary measures, noting that dust particles remain in suspension across the northern region, North Central region and inland areas of the South.
“People with asthmatic conditions and other respiratory issues should be particularly cautious,” the agency warned. It also advised motorists to drive carefully during rainfall and urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective flight planning.
