July in Latvia was fifth wettest on record
This July was the fifth wettest in Latvia since records began in 1924, with average precipitation of 123.2 mm. Several towns saw record rainfall, while Rēzekne had the least.
Last month was the fifth wettest July in Latvia since records began in 1924, according to data compiled by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
The average precipitation across the country reached 123.2 millimetres, or 163% of the monthly norm. The western and central parts received more rain than the east. In Liepāja, Ventspils and Vičaki, July was the wettest on record; in Bauska it was the second wettest, and in Stende the third rainiest since 1945.
The highest precipitation total was recorded in Ventspils — 222.3 millimetres, or 350% of the norm. The lowest was in Rēzekne, with 57.9 millimetres, or 87% of the long-term average.
On average, Latvia saw 13 days with at least one millimetre of precipitation. On 18 days — more than half the month — at least one observation station recorded heavy rain, defined as ten millimetres or more.
The rainiest day was 20 July, when the countrywide average reached 21.1 millimetres and every station reported precipitation. The lowest amount that day was in Lielpeči, with 2.6 millimetres, while Ventspils received 78.3 millimetres. Stende saw 73.9 millimetres, or 95% of the July norm.
8 July was also notably wet, with an average of 19.9 millimetres. Station totals ranged from five millimetres in Dagda to 62.8 millimetres in Ventspils.
The drought and moisture index was within normal limits at most stations, but nearly all stations in Zemgale and Kurzeme indicated wet to extremely wet conditions. Sunshine duration was below the 1991–2020 average except in parts of the east, where it slightly exceeded the norm.
The average air temperature in July was +17.4 degrees, 0.4 degrees below normal. The month’s minimum was +7.2 degrees on 23 July at Zosēni, while the maximum of +32.6 degrees was recorded on 31 July at Jelgava station — the only temperature record broken in Latvia during the month.
Average relative humidity was 81%, ranging from 77% in Alūksne and Rīga to 85% in Kolka and Pāvilosta. The strongest wind gust, 23.2 metres per second, was observed on 6 July in Liepāja.
