Latvia Braces for Another Night of Severe Frost, Warnings Issued
Latvia is preparing for another night of extremely cold temperatures, with weather warnings in effect across much of the country from Monday evening, February 16, through Tuesday morning, February 17. The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) has issued a yellow warning – indicating potential danger – for most areas, while a more serious orange warning – signifying danger – is in place for the south and south-east.
Forecasters predict temperatures could plummet to -24 Celsius in many parts of Latvia, with the potential for -29 Celsius in the most affected districts of the south-east between 7:00 PM and 10:00 AM local time. The cold snap follows a period of record-breaking low temperatures already experienced in parts of the country, including Liepaja and Rucava, where minimum temperature records for February 16 were broken for the second consecutive night.
The current cold weather is being driven by an anticyclone centered over Latvia, bringing mostly clear skies but also the potential for light snowfall in some areas. According to the LVĢMC, the air temperature during the day on Monday is expected to rise to between -8 and -3 degrees Celsius, cooling to -11 to -6 degrees Celsius in eastern regions.
While conditions are expected to remain similar on Tuesday, even colder temperatures are anticipated overnight. The forecast suggests a minimum of -24 to -20 Celsius in many locations, potentially dropping to -27 to -25 Celsius in central and eastern areas. Daytime temperatures on Tuesday are predicted to reach -12 to -7 Celsius, with slightly colder conditions in the south.
Beyond the immediate cold, concerns are also being raised about air quality. Warnings have been issued for poor air quality in parts of Rīga, Ventspils, Liepāja and Rēzekne, potentially exacerbated by the calm wind conditions. Residents in these areas are advised to take precautions.
The extreme cold is not limited to overnight temperatures. The observation station in Daugavpils recorded a temperature of -29.6 degrees Celsius at 5:00 AM on Monday, February 16. The all-time cold record for February 16 in Daugavpils and nationwide, stands at -33.8 degrees Celsius, recorded in 1979.
Latvijas Valsts ceļi reports that the lowest air temperature recorded overnight was -25 degrees Celsius in the South Kurzeme region, and -27 to -28 degrees Celsius in the vicinity of Daugavpils and the Ludza region. Ainaži saw a relatively mild -4.1 degrees Celsius, while Kolka registered -6.4 degrees Celsius.
A new cyclone is expected to approach Latvia mid-week, bringing increased cloud cover. While the cyclone may bring a slight reprieve from the most severe frost, light snow is also anticipated. The east wind is forecast to gradually shift from the west and become slow to moderate.
Members of the public are urged to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from the cold, including dressing warmly, limiting time spent outdoors, and checking on vulnerable individuals. The LVĢMC advises that the cold weather will continue throughout the week, but temperatures are expected to rise towards the weekend, approaching zero in western regions.
