For the fifth consecutive day, air temperatures in Latvia have reached record highs for the given date, marking the warmest start to March ever recorded, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology, and Meteorology Center.
By 1:00 PM on Monday, the highest recorded temperature was +15.7°C in Rucava, setting a new benchmark for early March warmth in Latvia. The previous record was +15.5°C, observed in Dobele on the 10th of March 2014.
At least six weather stations have registered new heat records for both the 10th of March and the entire first decade of March. The affected locations include Ainaži, Pāvilosta, Priekuļi, Rucava, Ventspils and Zvejniekciems.
Due to dry weather, light winds, and cross-border pollution, air quality remains moderate to poor in several areas.
The previous day’s highest temperature was +15.5°C, recorded on Thursday in Daugavpils.
In just five days, over 60 temperature records have been broken in Latvia. February did not see any record-breaking temperatures, but January recorded an unprecedented 98 new maximum temperature records.
Similar unseasonably high temperatures have been observed across Europe and other parts of the world. Climate experts warn that due to global warming, heatwaves and natural disasters will become more frequent and intense in the future.