NIMET Warns Airlines, Others against Harmattan Haze

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has released another weather forecast for 2024 with dust haze alerts in the north and isolated thunderstorms in the South-south region.

According to the agency, beginning from Wednesday, January 3, 2024 sunny and hazy atmosphere are anticipated over the North and North Central region throughout the forecast period.

“Slight dust haze is expected over the inland areas of the South during the forecast period while few clouds in hazy atmosphere is expected over the coastal cities with slim prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states during the afternoon/evening period” NiMET revealed.

For Thursday, January 4, sunny and hazy atmosphere are expected over the North and North Central regions throughout the forecast period.

Few patches of clouds in a hazy atmosphere are expected over the inland areas of the South and coastal cities with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States in the afternoon/evening period.

For Friday, January 5, Sunny and hazy atmosphere are anticipated over the North and North Central region during the forecast period. Few patches of clouds in hazy atmosphere are expected over the Inland areas of the South and the Coastal belt with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Bayelsa and Delta states in the afternoon/evening period.

NiMET noted that the potential impact could be adverse, while stating that dust particles are in suspension, and also warning the public to take necessary precautions.

“People with asthma and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather situations. Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it added.