The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMET) is forecasting a mix of weather conditions across the country on Friday, with light coastal rain in the morning, misty conditions over the middle belt, and widespread thunderstorms expected later in the day as a rainstorm system approaches from neighbouring Nigeria.
In its 18-hour outlook issued at 0500 UTC and valid from 6am, the Agency said coastal areas including Aflao, Accra, Kasoa, Winneba, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Axim may experience light morning showers, with a 40% chance of rain. Temperatures along the coast are expected to range between 22°C and 24°C in the morning, rising to around 30°C in the afternoon.
For the middle belt, including Kumasi, Koforidua, Akim Oda, Kwahu Tafo, Obuasi, Tarkwa and Sefwi Bekwai, early morning mist is expected, which could reduce visibility, particularly in forested and hilly areas. According to GMET duty forecaster Fredrick Q. Cudjoe, temperatures in these areas will climb from about 23°C–24°C in the morning to as high as 33°C later in the day.
In the northern sector, skies over Tamale, Bolgatanga, Wa, Yendi, Bole, Damongo, Nalerigu and Jirapa are expected to remain mostly cloudy in the morning, with a 40% chance of rain in areas such as Bolgatanga and Nalerigu. By afternoon, however, the likelihood of thunderstorms increases significantly, with places like Wa and Jirapa facing up to a 60% chance of thunderstorms and rain.
GMET attributed the developing conditions to thickening thunder and rain-bearing clouds over northern Ghana, combined with an active storm system moving westward from Nigeria. The system is expected to affect the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah and Northern regions later in the day, with parts of the area placed under “Be Aware” and low-risk alerts in the Agency’s impact-based forecast.
Southern Ghana will also experience unstable conditions, with morning drizzle expected to give way to afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Accra, Kasoa and Ho are among the areas with a 40% chance of thunderstorms by midday, increasing into the evening hours.
Temperatures nationwide are expected to vary slightly by zone, with minimums around 22°C along the coast and 23°C across the forest, transition and northern belts. Maximum temperatures are projected to reach 30°C along the coast, 33°C in the forest and transition zones, and up to 34°C in the northern sector — the highest recorded for the day.
The Agency has also issued a rough sea advisory, rating sea conditions at level 2 and urging fishermen and other sea users to take extra caution.
According to GMET’s impact-based forecast from the Central Analysis and Forecasting Office (CAFO), several northern and transitional districts will remain under “Be Aware” and low-risk alerts throughout the day as the rainstorm system gradually moves across the country.