An orange alert has been issued, the second-highest classification of dangerous weather conditions. The system runs: green (no major issues), yellow (situation deteriorating), orange (becoming dangerous) and red (very dangerous).
The national weather authority warned at 10 a.m. that winds were currently strengthening.
Pēdējo stundu laikā #vējš pieņemas spēkā, @liepajalv, @Pavilostanovads un @kolkas_rags sasniedz 20-23 m/s, @Ventspilslv 27 m/s. Tuvākajās stundās vējš brāzmās @RigasDome sasniegs 20 m/s, dienas vidū arī 25 m/s. https://t.co/htjtl8kFuQ #vētra #brīdinājumi pic.twitter.com/XXapAgHxo2
— Meteo.lv (@LVGMC_Meteo) January 2, 2019
Earlier Wednesday morning the strongest gusts of wind have been recorded in the port of Liepāja - known as the "windy city" - where they have reached 27 meters per second.
Elsewhere on the coast of Kurzeme speeds of about 20 meters per second have been recorded, while elsewhere in Kurzeme, Zemgale and western Vidzeme wind speeds are less powerful at 9-14 meters per second.
In contrast, in the north of Estonia and its islands gusts up to 28-30 meters per second are currently being experienced with ERR News reporting that ferry services are being disrupted as a result.
Early this morning wind speeds of up to 35 meters per second were recorded on Sweden's island of Gotland.
The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) reminds the public to call the emergency number 112 if the strong wind has caused damage to human health and life and forecasters are advising regular checks on weather conditions to ensure appropriate clothing and other precautions before heading outside.
