The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted a wet weekend across the country, with the southern region expected to experience significant rainfall from Friday to Sunday.

According to NiMet’s latest weather outlook, released on Thursday, cloudy skies with prospects of intermittent moderate rainfall are anticipated over most parts of the southern states, including Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

There is also a heightened risk of flooding in parts of Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River throughout the forecast period.

On Friday morning, the southern region will likely see cloudy skies with moderate rainfall in several areas, transitioning to light to moderate rain across most parts during the afternoon and evening.

The same pattern is expected to persist through Saturday and Sunday, with moderate rainfall forecast for the morning hours in states like Oyo, Lagos, and Rivers, followed by widespread moderate rains later in the day.

In the northern region, NiMet predicts a cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine on Friday, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms and moderate rainfall over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Taraba during the morning.

Later in the day, similar conditions are expected to extend to Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa.

On Saturday, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are forecast for Taraba, Adamawa, southern Borno, and other northern states, while Sunday will see a chance of light rains in Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina during the morning, followed by moderate rains across most of the region.

The central region is expected to experience a cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals on Friday morning, with light rain possible over Niger, Kogi, and Benue. By the afternoon, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Abuja.

On Saturday, light rain is expected in parts of Kogi and Benue in the morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall spreading across the region later. Sunday will bring similar conditions, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall forecast for Abuja, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue in the afternoon or evening.

NiMet has urged residents, particularly in flood-prone areas like Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

Authorities are advised to monitor water levels and prepare for potential flooding as the rainy season intensifies.