Frost expected in many parts of Latvia on Martinmas: what folk beliefs say about Christmas
Forecasters expect Tuesday morning air temperatures in Latvia of between -3 and +3 degrees. According to Latvian folk beliefs, frost on Martinmas signals a warm Christmas.
Frost is expected in many parts of Latvia on Tuesday, Martinmas (Mārtiņdiena), a traditional date in the Latvian folk calendar. Forecasters say morning air temperatures across the country will range from -3 to +3 degrees Celsius. Latvian folk beliefs hold that if it freezes on Martinmas, the weather at Christmas will be warm. This is a traditional weather sign rather than a scientific long-range forecast.
Forecast for the country
Skies will begin to clear in the southwest of the country. The day will pass without significant precipitation. Winds will be light to moderate, blowing from the south and southeast. Daytime temperatures will not exceed +2 to +6 degrees.
Weather in Riga
In the capital, Martinmas is expected to be dry and mostly sunny, with light to moderate southerly and southeasterly winds. In the morning hours the temperature will fall to zero degrees, and in the suburbs to -2 degrees. During the day the air will warm only to +4 degrees.
If the morning frost does arrive, the folk belief promises a warm Christmas. What the weather will actually be like during the holidays will only become clear from forecasts closer to the date.
