As reported to the LETA agency by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre and the State Fire and Rescue Service, a red alert has been issued for the area around Riga, Jelgava, and the Vidzeme coast of the Gulf of Riga.
The red alert in central Latvia is in effect from 9 AM on Saturday until 2 PM on Sunday, but the area of the alert may be adjusted based on current data.
Meteorologists warn that due to extremely heavy rain, extensive areas, property, and transport infrastructure, as well as grain fields and gardens, may be flooded. Residents are urged to leave dangerous areas and follow all instructions from responsible authorities. Damage to road infrastructure is expected, and certain sections of roads may become impassable and blocked.
Due to flooding, crops and plantations may perish in many places. There is a very high risk of disruptions to electricity and water supply, as well as telecommunications, responsible services warn.
If hydrometeorological conditions lead to destruction threatening the health and lives of people, communications, or public transport movement, one should call the unified emergency assistance number.
During the day, as the cyclone moves north across Latvia, very heavy rains are expected in most parts of the country, with the possibility of extremely heavy precipitation in some areas of central Latvia. At the same time, thunderstorms may also occur in parts of the central and eastern regions.
The wind will gradually change direction to the northwest during the day and will strengthen, with the strongest gusts expected on the coast of the gulf, where in the evening wind speeds will reach 25-30 meters per second (m/s).
In Riga, very heavy and prolonged rain is expected from the first half of the day. In the morning, a light wind will prevail, which will change direction to the northwest and west after lunch, significantly strengthening in the evening, reaching gusts of 25-30 m/s.
The air temperature in the capital will not rise above +16 to +18 degrees. Similar air temperatures are expected across Latvia, although in Kurzeme the air may cool even more, while in the southern part of Latgale it may be warmer.
The intensity of precipitation and wind will decrease only in the second half of the night on Sunday.