The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMET) has forecast a mix of weather conditions across the country on Friday, with light morning showers along the coast, mist over the middle belt, and widespread thunderstorms expected later in the day as an active rainstorm system moves westward from neighbouring Nigeria.
According to the Agency’s 18-hour weather forecast, issued at 0500 UTC and valid from 6:00 a.m., coastal communities stretching from Aflao through Accra, Kasoa, Winneba, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Axim will experience light morning rain, with a 40 per cent probability of precipitation.
Morning temperatures along the coast are expected to range between 22°C and 24°C before rising to a maximum of 30°C during the afternoon.
Across the middle belt, including Kumasi, Koforidua, Akim Oda, Kwahu Tafo, Obuasi, Tarkwa and Sefwi Bekwai, residents are expected to wake to misty conditions that could significantly reduce visibility, particularly in forested and mountainous areas.
GMET duty forecaster Fredrick Q. Cudjoe said temperatures in these areas would increase from between 23°C and 24°C in the morning to as high as 33°C later in the day.
In northern Ghana, skies over Tamale, Bolgatanga, Wa, Yendi, Bole, Damongo, Nalerigu and Jirapa are expected to remain mostly cloudy throughout the morning. However, Bolgatanga and Nalerigu have a 40 per cent chance of rainfall during the early hours.
Thunderstorm activity is forecast to intensify across the northern sector by the afternoon, with Wa and Jirapa facing a 60 per cent probability of thunderstorms accompanied by rain.
The Agency attributed the worsening weather conditions to the development of thunderclouds over northern Ghana and an active rainstorm system currently over Nigeria, which is expected to move westward into Ghana’s northern and transition zones later in the day.
Regions expected to be most affected include the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah and Northern regions, all of which have been placed under “Be Aware” and, in some locations, “Low Risk” categories under GMET’s impact-based risk assessment.
Southern Ghana is also expected to experience unstable weather. Following light morning showers, thunderstorms of varying intensity are forecast to develop during the afternoon and evening across much of the southern sector.
Cities including Accra, Kasoa and Ho each have a 40 per cent probability of thunderstorms with rain by midday, with the likelihood expected to persist into the evening.
GMET’s temperature outlook indicates minimum temperatures of 22°C along the coast and 23°C across the forest, transition and northern belts. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 30°C along the coast, 33°C in the forest and transition zones, and as high as 34°C in the northern sector, making it the warmest part of the country on Friday.
The Agency has also issued a rough sea advisory, classifying sea conditions as “Rough (2)” and urging fishermen, coastal communities and other sea users to exercise caution.
Meanwhile, the impact-based forecast, issued by the Central Analysis and Forecasting Office (CAFO), places several northern and transitional districts under “Be Aware” and “Low Risk” alerts. The Agency noted that these risk zones are expected to shift progressively south-westward throughout the day as the Nigerian rainstorm system advances across Ghana.
