NiMet predicts deterioration in visibility in the next 24 hours

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency says the country will likely experience deterioration in visibility in some parts in the next 24 to 48 hours due to dust plum from the source region.
The agency, in its Weather Alert issued by its Public Relations Unit on Friday in Abuja, said that dust had been raised over the source regions in Niger and Chad Republic in the last 24 hours.
It said that the dust would be transported by northeast trade winds into and across the country.
It said that visibility as low as 100 metres were reported by some stations in Niger Republic.
According to NiMet, current report of visibility values across the country is good.
NiMet said: “However, deterioration is expected to set in beginning from areas in the far northern parts of the country over the next 24 to 48 hours.
“There is prospect of fresh dust plumes being raised in the coming days, with its attendant consequences as indicated in the earlier press statement.
“NiMet will however, continue to monitor the weather and climate conditions as they unfold and provide regular updates and advisories to the general public.”
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that NiMet in October issued an advisory forecast that dust outbreaks would affect the country during the December to February dry season period.
It predicted that occasional outbreak of dust that would reduce horizontal visibility significantly to 1,000 metres and below in some places would occur.
NiMet also stated that the expected increase in concentration of the dust particles would lead to colder and drier atmosphere as well as increase incidences of respiratory disorder.