Nigeria is set to face adverse weather conditions over the next three days, with dust haze expected to affect air quality in the northern region and thunderstorms threatening parts of the South, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has cautioned.

In its three-day forecast covering Thursday, Friday and Saturday, released by the agency’s Central Forecast Office on Wednesday, NiMet projected a dense dust haze across several northern states, leading to reduced visibility and potential health and safety concerns.

States including Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Kano and Katsina are expected to be most impacted on Thursday, February 19, while lighter dust conditions are anticipated in other northern areas. The agency warned that horizontal visibility in the North and North Central regions could range between two and five kilometres, and in some places decline to one kilometre or below. Such conditions may disrupt flight operations and heighten the risk of road accidents.

NiMet further noted that individuals with asthma and other respiratory illnesses could experience worsening symptoms due to increased dust particles in the air, advising vulnerable residents to reduce outdoor exposure and take necessary health precautions.

In the southern region, the agency predicted cloudy mornings with sunny intervals, followed by thunderstorms and moderate rainfall later in the day. States likely to experience stormy conditions include Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Abia.

According to NiMet, the anticipated rainfall could trigger localised flooding, deteriorating road conditions and disruptions to road and air travel, particularly in coastal and low-lying communities.

The agency urged state authorities, emergency responders and transport operators to remain vigilant, highlighting that the simultaneous occurrence of dust haze in the North and heavy rainfall in the South presents a dual threat to public safety and economic activities.

Airlines were advised to obtain airport-specific weather briefings from NiMet to aid flight planning, while motorists were encouraged to exercise caution amid reduced visibility and wet road conditions. Residents were also urged to stay updated through official weather advisories, as timely information and preparedness are key to reducing potential impacts.