In the coming days weather in Latvia will be dictated by active cyclone activity. The wind will gradually increase in strength. A new storm is expected on Sunday. Together with intensive precipitation it will present a serious threat to residents and their property, predicts Latvian State Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
On Friday, 28 January, weather will be dictated by the western portion of an active cyclone. The sky will be mostly cloudy with some precipitation – wet snow, snow, as well as rain in the west.
The layer of snow will increase by 1-3 cm in some areas in the east.
The wind will be moderate to strong and will blow from the south and south-west. In the first half of the night wind speed along the sea coast will reach 15-19 m/sec. The wind will gradually change direction to west and north-west over the course of the night. Wind speed will also increase along the sea coast to 20-23 m/sec. Maximum air temperature during the day will remain at 0° C… +3° C.
Intensive precipitation and strong wind are expected on the weekend. On Saturday night eastern territories of Latvia will experience snowfall. A new wide and intense precipitation zone will pass through Latvia in the afternoon – snow, wet snow and rain are expected in western areas. Moderately strong north-west and west wind is expected. At night wind direction will change to south and south-west. Wind speed will reach 15-19 m/sec (up to 21 m/sec along the coast).
Strong wind will cause a blizzard in some regions.
Night-time air temperature will be -2° C… -7° C. Along the coast air temperature will be -2° C… +2° C. Daytime air temperature will be +1° C.. -2° C in the east and +1° C… +5° C in the west.
Snow and wet snow is expected in Latvia on Sunday. Western areas will experience rain. With increased wind speed a very strong blizzard is expected! Moderately strong south-west and south wind will change direction to north-west in the second half of the night. In central and western areas wind speed will reach 18-23 m/sec (25-30 m/sec along the coast).
In open Baltic Sea waters the storm will reach a speed of 33 m/sec. Meteorologists will clarify tomorrow if such wind speed is possible along Kurzeme’s sea coast.
Residents living in Latvia’s eastern territories will experience influence from the wind the least. Air temperature at night and during the day will be around +2° C… -3° C.
Residents are urged to be careful – during snowfall roads will be slippery and visibility will be low, especially during a blizzard. Trees may be felled, branches may be broken off, unfastened items and waste may be tossed in the air, presenting a serious threat to residents and their property. There is also a risk of power outages!
Water levels will rise along the southern shore of the Gulf of Riga because of the strong north-west wind.
According to current forecasts, there will be less precipitation next week. Colder masses of air will be carried to the country from the north. More snow is expected. The wind will calm down and become moderate. On the night to Monday air temperature will drop below 0° C. Air temperature will remain negative at night and during the day in the first half of the week. The night to Wednesday will be the coldest next week. Air temperature will reach -10° C at times, with a new thaw possible at the end of the week.
Meteorologists predict blizzards and strong wind in Latvia
