Thaw is expected in Riga and all of Latvia on Tuesday, the 20th of December. According to Riga City Council, movement around the city will be difficult. Residents are urged to be careful.
According to meteorologists, air temperature will rise rapidly in Tuesday afternoon. This means snowfall will change into rain. This will form a layer of ice on roads and walkways.
Black ice may form on roads and bridges. Ice forms very quickly. Motorists are urged to be very careful. Busy roads are coated with a salt mixture. During rainfall coating will be reapplied. Roads with less intensive traffic or 3rd category streets will experience difficult driving conditions.
Riga City Council invites residents to keep in mind that travel will be difficult during this time. Residents are urged to pick safe routes and appropriate footwear to stay safe and avoid injuries outdoors.
Seniors especially are urged to stay indoors if at all possible.
Worker of the municipal administration are advised to work remotely if possible. Riga City Council also invites parents to think talk to their children and explain to them how to get to and from education facilities safely. Schools are to send parents information with advise how to act. There are no plans to put face-to-face teaching at the moment.
Meteorologists explain – the ice forms on surfaces because although air temperature rapidly increases, the surface of streets, roads and walkways do not become warm as quickly. This is why when rain hits this surface, it freezes, forming a surface of ice.
Under these conditions coating the surface of roads and streets with salt or other mixtures will not help.
As air temperature goes up, snow and icicles may form from rooftops of buildings. This puts pedestrians and cars parked near buildings are at risk. According to Riga City Council, 38 people have died to injuries caused by uncleared walkways this winter so far. Two people were injured and one car was damaged by snow that fell from roofs of buildings. Building managers are responsible for clearing roofs of snow.
Riga 2nd Hospital is prepared to admit more patients than usual if need be. Last week more than half of the people that turned to Riga 2nd Hospital for medical assistance received injuries on walkways in Pieriga.