The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has forecast a mixed weather pattern across the country today, with light rainfall expected in some coastal communities, persistent thunderstorms over the extreme Upper West, and reduced visibility in several forest and mountainous areas due to early morning mist and fog.

According to the agency's 18-hour forecast, patches of light rain will affect sections of the coastline during the morning, while mist and fog are expected to linger over coastal, forest and mountainous areas before gradually clearing as the day progresses.

GMet said thunderstorms will continue to affect the extreme Upper West during the morning, even as much of the country experiences mostly cloudy skies. Motorists travelling through forested and hilly terrain have been advised to exercise caution because of reduced visibility during the early hours.

Along the coast, residents in communities including Accra, Aflao, Anloga, Cape Coast and Axim are expected to experience light rain at various times during the morning, while Kasoa, Winneba and Takoradi are forecast to begin the day under misty or cloudy conditions.

By the afternoon, sunny conditions are expected to dominate much of northern Ghana, with temperatures rising across the northern sector. However, GMet says instability in the atmosphere is likely to trigger thunderstorms, with or without rain, over parts of the middle belt as the day advances.

Communities including Ho, Koforidua, Kete Krachi and surrounding areas are expected to experience thunderstorms during the afternoon, while evening thunderstorms are also forecast for parts of the Eastern, Volta and northern regions. Other areas are expected to remain mostly cloudy into the night.

The agency forecasts maximum temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius along the coast, 31 degrees Celsius across the forest zone, 32 degrees Celsius in the transition belt and up to 35 degrees Celsius in northern Ghana. Minimum temperatures are expected to range between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius nationwide.

GMet has also maintained its advisory on marine conditions, warning that the state of the sea remains rough. Fisherfolk, commercial boat operators and other users of the marine environment have therefore been urged to exercise caution until conditions improve.

The agency encouraged the public to monitor weather updates throughout the day, particularly in areas likely to experience thunderstorms, and advised motorists to drive carefully during periods of poor visibility caused by mist, fog or rainfall.