The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has issued a fresh weather warning from Abuja on Sunday, September 20, 2026, forecasting thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Monday, September 21, to Wednesday, September 23, with strong winds potentially preceding storms in some areas.

The three-day outlook covers the northern, North-Central and southern regions, although the timing and intensity of rainfall will vary across locations.

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For Monday morning, NiMet expects thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Taraba and Kebbi states.

Later in the afternoon or evening, scattered thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected over parts of the North-East, Kaduna, Taraba and Kebbi.

In the North-Central region, parts of Niger State could experience thunderstorms and light rain in the morning before moderate rainfall and thunderstorms develop across most parts of the region later in the day.

Southern Nigeria is expected to have cloudy skies on Monday morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

Thunderstorms accompanied by light rain are forecast across the region later in the afternoon or evening.

The unsettled weather is expected to continue into Tuesday.

NiMet forecasts patches of cloud over the northern region during the morning, with thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Taraba.

By the afternoon or evening, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain are expected across much of the northern region.

In the North-Central region, partly cloudy conditions are forecast during the morning, followed later by thunderstorms and moderate rain over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states.

Southern states are also expected to remain largely cloudy, with thunderstorms and light rain possible over parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and the South-South.

By Wednesday, the forecast points to another widespread spell of thunderstorms.

NiMet expects partly cloudy conditions across the northern region during the morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rain over parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba states.

Further thunderstorms and moderate rain are expected across much of the northern region later in the day.

The North-Central region could see partly cloudy skies in the morning, followed by isolated thunderstorms and light rain over parts of the FCT, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa.

Moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are expected across most parts of the region later on Wednesday.

Across southern Nigeria, cloudy skies are forecast during the morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rain expected over most parts of the region later in the day.

NiMet said strong winds could precede thunderstorms in areas where rainfall is expected, prompting the agency to urge residents to take precautions before storms develop.

“The public should take adequate precaution and ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision,” NiMet said.

The agency also advised motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall and urged residents to disconnect electrical appliances from sockets during thunderstorms.

Residents were further advised to stay away from tall trees during storms because strong winds could bring down branches or entire trees.

The latest NiMet storms warning comes as Nigeria moves through another active period of the 2026 rainy season.

NiMet’s seasonal climate prediction had indicated normal to above-normal rainfall in several parts of the country, while also pointing to regional differences in the timing and duration of the rainy season.

The weather warning also coincides with a separate flood advisory from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which identified 15 states as facing high riverine flood risk between September 19 and 25.

The states identified by NiHSA include Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Benue, Kogi and Taraba.

The two warnings do not mean flooding or severe weather will occur in every affected location. Rainfall intensity, storm development and local drainage conditions can differ significantly from one area to another.

Recent incidents, however, illustrate the potential impact of severe weather.

In Kano State, the state emergency management agency reported that rainstorms and windstorms killed nine people, injured 49 and displaced 4,524 people between January and August 2026.

NiMet has also asked airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports and flight documentation to support safe operational planning.

For residents, commuters and businesses, the immediate message is one of preparedness.

Weather conditions can change quickly during thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon and evening when several parts of the country are forecast to experience rain.

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NiMet has urged the public to continue monitoring official weather updates as conditions develop, particularly in areas where strong winds and moderate to heavy rainfall are expected.