Severe weather warnings and climate service updates in West

Meteorological agencies in Ghana and Nigeria have issued warnings regarding severe weather patterns, including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds.

In Ghana, the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) warned of moderate to heavy rainstorms affecting northern regions, such as the Upper East, North East, and Northern regions, with weather systems expected to move toward the Upper West and Savannah regions. Specific alerts were issued for flood-prone areas near the Oti River and for coastal communities facing risks from rough seas.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) forecast thunderstorms and rain across several parts of the country, including the North-East, North-Central, and southern regions like Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom. The agency noted that strong winds may precede these thunderstorms.

Expanding its technical capabilities, NiMet is developing a digital platform called the ‘NiMet Data Hub’ in partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Crea2Solutions. Currently in the testing phase of its Minimum Viable Product, the hub aims to provide farmers and livestock keepers with location-specific weather and climate information to improve seasonal planning and risk analysis.

Concurrently, NiMet has issued new weather warnings for thunderstorms and rainfall across various parts of Nigeria, specifically advising residents and motorists in states including Taraba, Kebbi, and the North-Central region to take precautions against heavy rain and potential strong winds.