Due to the expected blizzard on Friday, meteorologists have issued an orange-level warning across the country, including in the capital, LETA reports.
The warning from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre about prolonged and heavy snowfall and blizzards will come into effect on Friday at 8:00 AM.
As previously reported, a vast area of precipitation will begin to cross Latvia from the southwest early Friday morning — moderate to heavy snowfall and blizzards are expected, with rain and ice possible at times in the southeastern part of the country. The heaviest snowfall is expected to end on Saturday morning in eastern Latvia.
Most of the country is expected to receive 10–25 centimeters of fresh snow, with less precipitation in the northwest — in the Ventspils region and at Cape Kolka, as well as in the area of Salacgrīva and Rūjiena. The eastern and northeastern winds will strengthen with gusts of up to 11–16 meters per second, reaching up to 20 meters per second on the Kurzeme coast of the Gulf of Riga.
In the capital, light snowfall will begin on Friday morning, intensifying during the day; it will gradually weaken overnight into Saturday.
Due to heavy snowfall and blizzards, some roads may become impassable, and railway tracks may be snowed over in places. The most difficult situation is expected starting Friday afternoon.
On Friday, the sky will be covered with dense clouds. The minimum air temperature at night will range from -4 degrees in the Daugavpils area to -13 degrees in northern Vidzeme. In the afternoon, temperatures are expected to be -4 to -9 degrees, and on Friday evening, the thermometer may rise to +1 degree at the border with Belarus.
