Powerful storm to cross Latvia on Saturday, may reach Riga by evening

A powerful storm is expected to move across Latvia on Saturday, with the latest meteorological forecasts suggesting it could reach Riga around 9 p.m. The exact intensity of the storm remains uncertain, as different forecasts still diverge.

Storm moving from west to east

The strongest winds are expected in Kurzeme during the first half of the day. By evening, the storm will reach Zemgale, Sēlija and Latgale, before moving on to Vidzeme. It will arrive latest in northern Vidzeme, including Valmiera, where the strongest winds are forecast only around 3 a.m.

Gusts could exceed 30 meters per second

According to the latest data, wind gusts across the country could exceed 20 meters per second, reaching 25 to 30 meters per second in some areas. In parts of the Vidzeme coast, gusts may exceed 30 meters per second.

Before the storm arrives, much of the country will likely experience calm or even windless conditions, as the center of a cyclone crosses Latvia from the south. In Kurzeme, a northerly wind will initially blow, gradually shifting to a westerly direction. In eastern Latvia, the storm will begin with southerly winds that will later turn southwesterly.

Riga to see changing, though not the strongest, winds

In the capital, a slow, variable-direction wind will blow before the storm hits, while during the storm itself the wind will come from the west. In most of Riga, gusts are expected to stay below 23 meters per second, with stronger winds mainly in the northern part of the city. However, it remains possible that winds in Riga could turn out stronger than currently forecast — along the coast, gusts may reach or even exceed 30 meters per second.