The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across various parts of the country from Friday through Sunday. In its weather outlook issued on Thursday in Abuja, NiMet projected thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States in the northern region during the morning hours of Friday. The forecast further indicated that much of the region would experience thunderstorms with moderate rains in the afternoon and evening. “For central region, there are prospects of light rains over Niger, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Plateau States. “Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory during the afternoon/evening period. For the southern region, cloudy skies are expected over the region with chances of light rain over parts of Oyo, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Cross River States during the morning hours,” it said. NiMet also predicted light rainfall later in the day across Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. On Saturday, the agency forecast thunderstorms with moderate rainfall in Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe and Taraba States during the morning, with additional thunderstorms expected later in the day over Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi and Taraba States. “For the central region, there are prospects of light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, Benue and Kwara States during the morning period. “For the southern region, cloudy skies are expected over the region with prospects of light rains over Enugu, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours.‎ “Later on the day, light rains are‎ expected over most parts of the region,” it said. According to NiMet, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are anticipated on Sunday morning across Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano and Borno States. In the afternoon and evening, thunderstorms are also expected in Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno and Katsina States. “For the central region, cloudy skies are expected with chances of light rain over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi and Benue States during the morning hours. “Later in the day, light rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi and Kwara States. “For southern region, cloudy skies are expected over the region with chances of light rains over parts of Imo, Enugu, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Bayelsa states during the morning period,” it said. NiMet further predicted light rains later in the day over Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Imo, Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States. The agency cautioned the public on safety measures during the rainy period, urging Nigerians to avoid driving in heavy rain, while farmers should refrain from applying fertilizers or pesticides just before rainfall to prevent nutrient leaching. “Ensure warm clothing for the vulnerable persons due to low night-time temperatures. Ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision. ‎”Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees. ”Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet ‎for effective planning in their operations,” it said. The agency also encouraged residents to keep updated by monitoring NiMet’s official website for regular weather information.