The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) issued a weather alert, warning the public about potential reduced visibility due to dust haze coming from a source region.
According to the release, winds exceeding 10 meters per second and 925 hPa pressure are conducive to the propagation of dust haze into the northern parts of the country. Stations in the source region, including Niger (Goure, Zinder, Maine-Soroa, Diffa, N-Guigmi, and 61091), may experience horizontal visibility ranging from 800 meters to 6000 meters.
The release also mentioned that the sources of dust from Chad are expected to result in poor horizontal visibility within the next 24 hours, based on available models. Due to strong winds, the suspended dust is anticipated to reach several states in the northern part of the country, leading to reduced horizontal visibility, especially in places like Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Potiskum, and Maiduguri in the coming 24 hours, according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The purpose of this information is to alert pilots to the type of weather conditions associated with the dry season in Nigeria, which can range from light to severe dust haze and, at times, early morning fog, potentially reducing visibility below safe aerodrome operating limits. The general public is advised to take necessary precautions when planning their trips to avoid unnecessary flight delays during this time.
