Red alert: storms, flood, rain expected in Latvia

Storms and heavy rains are expected in Latvia overnight and during the day on Monday, causing widespread damage, so the Latvian Environment, Geology, and Meteorology Center has issued a red alert as of Sunday at 18:00 until Monday at 12:00.

A red alert for extremely strong wind gusts will be in force from 1:00 on Monday night until 9:00 on Monday morning.

Due to the possibility of flooding streets and delays in both public and private transport, Rīga City Council is urging residents to stay at home and work remotely on Monday if possible, but if this is not possible, expect to spend more time than usual on the road.

The rains will start on Sunday afternoon and continue intermittently at varying intensities until Tuesday night. The heaviest rainfall is forecast in the central part of the country: in western Vidzeme and Zemgale, up to 100-150 millimeters of rain may fall between Sunday afternoon and late Monday evening,

Less rain will fall in western Kurzeme, Latgale, and eastern Vidzeme, where rainfall is expected to be 15-35 millimeters.

In comparison, the August 2017 floods in Latgale brought 144 millimeters of rain to Rēzekne in just over a day.

Such rain will cause flooding in many places and wash-outs on roads and streets. Small rivers will be out of their banks in some parts during the rains, but water levels will continue to rise for several days after the rains.

Traffic in urban areas may be slow or some streets impassable. Highways will be difficult to navigate due to poor visibility in heavy rain and aquaplaning. Gravel roads may become impassable in some sections.

Winds will pick up significantly on Sunday evening, with the strongest gusts expected during the night into Monday and on Monday morning.

The strongest winds will affect western Vidzeme and Zemgale, where north-westerly, northerly wind gusts will reach 20-25 meters per second.

On the coast of the Gulf of Riga, including Riga, gusts will reach 27-30 meters per second, with even slightly stronger gusts possible on the open coast.

Elsewhere in the country, gusts will be mainly 15-20 meters per second.

This wind will break some trees and their branches, and more extensive damage to forests is possible in the stronger wind zone near the Gulf of Riga. Power lines may be broken.

Winds will cause a significant rise in the water level in the southern and eastern shores of the Gulf of Riga.

The weather is expected to improve significantly on Tuesday night, when winds will become much lighter and brief rain is expected only in places.

You can follow up-to-date warnings at bridinajumi.meteo.lv.

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