NiMet predicts low visibility, dust haze in the North, cautions motorists

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted low weather visibility of below a thousand over some parts of the northern region on the twentieth of this month, November, 2021.

The dust haze which is expected to affect the northern States such as Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina and its environs originated from the Faya Largeau in the Chad Republic – a major dust haze source region for Nigeria and indeed the West African Sub-region.

The value scale of significant visibility deterioration over the northern cities on the 20th as stated above would range from 2000-5000 metres with isolated cases of visibility below 1000 metres.

Most parts of the central states are expected to be partly cloudy with sunny intervals while the southern states are expected to be cloudy with prospects of isolated thunderstorms

Consequently, motorists are advised to drive with caution especially in the extreme northern parts where reduction in visibility is envisaged.

General Manager, Public Affairs, NIMET, Muntari Yusuff Ibrahim in a statement said more attention is expected especially during the early morning period when horizontal visibility is mostly impaired.

According to him, hot and dry atmospheric conditions associated with harmattan could result in heat exhaustion and dehydration, hence keeping the body hydrated by drinking water, he noted is crucial to avoid heatstroke, however, temperatures at night could be very low, adequate clothing is therefore essential.

The expected reduction in visibility may disrupt flight operations through cancellation and delay of flights; this is for the safety of air travellers.

He hinted that the agency would continue to monitor the weather and keep Nigerians updated.

Wole Shadare