The upcoming weekend may become one of the most challenging in terms of weather conditions in recent years. On Saturday and into Sunday night, a powerful cyclone will move through Latvia from the south, bringing heavy rains, thunderstorms, and destructive winds. Rain will begin in the southern regions of the country on Saturday morning and will gradually cover most of the territory. According to meteorologists' forecasts, Kurzeme, Zemgale, and Vidzeme may receive between 30 and 80 millimeters of precipitation in a short period. The most intense downpours are expected in eastern Kurzeme, Zemgale, and the western part of Vidzeme, while Latgale will receive less precipitation. Thunderstorms are expected in some areas, and the heaviest rains could lead to flooding in low-lying areas and roads. There is a possibility of small rivers overflowing, although large-scale flooding on major rivers is not currently forecasted. Residents should consider that the most dangerous part of the cyclone may not be the rain, but the wind. By the second half of Saturday, gusts will begin to strengthen rapidly. As the center of the cyclone passes, the wind direction will change, and by Saturday evening and into Sunday night, a real storm is expected across almost the entire country. In most parts of Latvia, gusts of westerly wind will reach 20–27 meters per second, while on the Vidzeme coast, including Riga, they may strengthen to 32 meters per second. Such wind speeds can break trees, damage power lines, road signs, and building elements. On the Vidzeme coast, strong sea swells may damage beach infrastructure. Preliminary estimates suggest that western Kurzeme will be less affected than other regions, while in other parts of the country, the likelihood of falling trees and other damage is significantly higher. Meteorologists remind that the forecast may still be refined. Therefore, in the next 24 hours, it is important to closely monitor official warnings, especially for those planning trips or outdoor activities. The last storm of comparable strength hit Latvia on July 29, 2024. At that time, emergency services received about 1,500 calls related to fallen trees, flooding, and other consequences of bad weather. This time, it is expected that the damage from precipitation will be less, but destruction from strong winds may be more severe. On Sunday, gusty westerly winds will continue, with rain, heavy downpours, and thunderstorms expected in some areas. Only on Monday will the wind begin to weaken, although brief precipitation will still persist in many areas of the country.
