Powerful storm crosses Latvia on Saturday, strong winds expected

Rain began in southern Latvia on Saturday morning and is expected to continue until the night before Sunday. In Kurzeme, Zemgale and Vidzeme, rainfall totals could reach 30–80 millimeters, with the heaviest rain expected in eastern Kurzeme, Zemgale and western Vidzeme. Latgale will see the least precipitation.

Wind strengthening into a storm

Winds will intensify during the day, reaching storm strength in many areas by evening and into the night. As the center of a cyclone passes over Latvia, wind direction will shift over time. Across most of the country, westerly wind gusts could reach 20–27 meters per second, while along the Vidzeme coast, including the capital Riga, gusts of up to 32 meters per second are possible.

Forecasters expect the least wind damage in western Kurzeme, while the rest of the country could see numerous broken or uprooted trees and other damage. Along the Vidzeme coast, large waves may damage beach infrastructure.

Comparison with 2024

A similar weather event struck Latvia on July 29, 2024, when rescuers received around one and a half thousand calls related to flooding and storm damage. This time, experts expect less rain-related damage, but overall losses from the storm could be greater than in that earlier event.

Forecasts indicate that gusty westerly winds will continue on Sunday, with periods of rain and, in places, heavy rain and thunderstorms. On Monday the wind is expected to ease, though rain will continue intermittently in many areas, with thunderstorms possible in some locations. Meteorologists note that forecasts may still change, so residents are advised to monitor the latest updates.