For the third time in less than a month, residents of Jos, Plateau State, have been caught in another unexpected hailstorm. This latest incident occurred on Tuesday around the Hill Station Roundabout in Jos North and along Old Airport Road in Jos South, leaving motorists startled and concerned about the recurring weather pattern.
Many drivers, now familiar with the unusual hail activity, expressed frustration over the pounding of ice pellets on their vehicles. “It’s becoming a regular thing, and the sound on the car roofs is really disturbing,” said Musa Idris, a commercial driver navigating through the storm near Hill Station.
This recent event adds to two previous hailstorms recorded in April, one in the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area, and another in Polo, Jos North Local Government Area.
Read also: Jos residents scamper for shelter as hailstorm brings chaos
These hail occurrences have raised growing concerns among residents, especially as they become more frequent and unpredictable.
When contacted after the April hailstorms, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) headquarters in Abuja seemed unaware of the developments.
Haruna Zakari, an official of the agency in a text message to BusinessDay, admitted ignorance of the situation, “we don’t have a record of such happening across our stations in Nigeria of recent. Thank you”. The reply prompted questions about the agency’s data collection and forecasting capabilities.
The repeated hail events in such a short span have highlighted the urgent need for improved local weather monitoring and communication between regional offices and the national headquarters. Many in Plateau State are now calling for NIMET to intensify its focus on highland regions like Jos, known for their unique climate patterns.
Read also; Motorists advised to plan movement as FG closes Ijora Bridge May 18
Andrew Ajija, a vetran Journalist in the state, believe that Jos’s elevation and recent shifts in climate behaviour may be contributing to the hail events.
However, without detailed weather data and real-time monitoring, the exact causes remain speculative.
As residents brace for more unpredictable weather, the demand grows louder for NIMET and other relevant agencies to enhance forecasting systems, ensure timely alerts, and better serve communities facing climate anomalies.
