Latvia is experiencing a volatile weather window as the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center issued yellow alerts for thunderstorms. Heavy rain, potentially exceeding 30 mm, and possible hail hit the country through Saturday, with significant precipitation and storm cells expected to persist into Monday, particularly in eastern regions.
Yellow Alerts and 30mm Precipitation Peaks
The atmospheric instability over the weekend triggered a high-alert status across the country. According to nra, the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center implemented a yellow-tier warning to account for thunderstorms that brought both heavy rain and the threat of hail.
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center (LVGMC) tied the yellow alert to specific atmospheric thresholds, including the potential for wind gusts reaching 15 to 20 meters per second. In response to these forecasts, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) issued a public safety warning, advising residents to stay indoors during peak lightning activity and to avoid parking vehicles near tall trees or unstable structures. The VUGD specifically highlighted the risk of fallen branches and power outages caused by the sudden onset of storm cells.
The intensity of these cells was not uniform, but the peaks were significant. Rainfall totals in some areas were projected to exceed 30 millimeters—effectively 30 liters per square meter—creating a high risk of localized flooding and transit disruptions.
Saturday’s Regional Divide: Kurzeme vs. the East
Saturday showcased a stark divide in weather patterns as a wind shift from the southeast to the west and northwest began to clear the western coast. While the eastern parts of the country remained locked in a zone of thunderstorms, Kurzeme saw the rain subside and the sun emerge.
The storm cells concentrated in the east primarily affected the Latgale region, where the LVGMC monitored high-intensity precipitation. While the western coast of Kurzeme began to stabilize, the eastern districts, including areas around Daugavpils and Rēzekne, faced the highest concentration of thunder-cells. The shift in wind direction was recorded as a transition from southeasterly currents to a northwesterly flow, which effectively pushed the moisture-heavy air mass away from the Baltic coast toward the interior.
Temperature variance was equally split. While Zemgale reached highs of +22°C in the late afternoon, other regions lagged behind.
| Region | Saturday Night Lows | Saturday Late Afternoon Highs |
|---|---|---|
| Kurzeme & Central Latvia | +11 to +14°C | Variable |
| Eastern Latvia | +14 to +17°C | Variable |
| Zemgale | Variable | +22°C |
| Vidzeme & Coast | Variable | +15°C |
Riga’s Transition from Storms to Sun
The capital city experienced a fragmented weather cycle. Early reports indicated a mix of occasional rain and potential thunder, though the clouds eventually broke to allow for sun.
In the capital, the weather transition was marked by a rapid clearing of the sky. Meteorological observations for Riga indicated that the rain showers were intermittent, with the most significant cloud cover dissipating by late Saturday afternoon. The temperature climb to +21°C was recorded in the city center, while the coastal suburbs, such as Jūrmala, maintained a lower temperature ceiling of +17°C due to the cooling effect of the Baltic Sea.
Nighttime conditions in the city remained relatively stable. TVNET reports that Riga’s night was only partially cloudy with no expected precipitation, as temperatures dipped to between +15 and +16°C.
By Saturday evening, the city’s temperature climbed to +21°C, though those near the coast saw a much cooler ceiling of +17°C.
Monday’s Shift: Eastern Storms Moving North
The start of the work week will not offer a full reprieve from the rain. Jauns.lv reports that Monday will begin with heavy cloud cover and rain across the majority of the territory, though some sunlight will break through in isolated areas.
The primary concern is a wide precipitation zone in the east. This system is expected to move northward, carrying strong rain showers and thunderstorms. The precipitation zone moving northward on Monday is expected to cross the Vidzeme region, bringing a renewed risk of thunderstorms. LVGMC data indicates that the most intense rain will be concentrated in the eastern corridor before shifting toward the northern border.
While the west will see fewer rain clouds, the eastern corridor remains the focal point for instability. The VUGD maintains a monitoring status for these areas to coordinate emergency responses to potential localized flooding in low-lying eastern districts.
Monday’s temperature profile shows a slight warming trend during the day, with air reaching +18 to +23°C. However, this warmth will be inconsistent, as the Kurzeme coast and portions of Latgale will remain cooler. The temperature gradient will be most pronounced between the southern plains of Zemgale and the northern reaches of Vidzeme.
Nighttime temperatures will fluctuate between +11 and +16°C, with a sharper drop in the north where lows could hit +9 to +10°C. Winds are expected to remain light, though they will turn gusty during the peak of the thunderstorms.
