Lagos is one of the wettest major coastal cities in West Africa, averaging around 1,700 mm (about 67 inches) of rain a year, with a long wet season from April through October interrupted by a brief drier spell in August. Built largely on low-lying, reclaimed land along the Atlantic coast and a lagoon system, the city has very limited natural drainage, and its rapid, dense urban growth has often outpaced infrastructure meant to move stormwater away. As a result, heavy rain events regularly cause serious flooding across large parts of the city, sometimes making major roads impassable for hours and affecting homes built close to waterways. Because flooding here tracks so closely with short-term rainfall intensity rather than seasonal totals alone, radar imagery showing a heavy band approaching is one of the more actionable pieces of information residents and businesses can use to plan around a storm. Nigeria’s meteorological agency, NiMet, operates the national weather radar network.
Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Lagos right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Lagos in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Lagos, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Lagos rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Lagos?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Nigeria are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Lagos or pass by.
Is this Lagos rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.