Meteorologists are warning of a severe cold wave hitting Lithuania this weekend, with temperatures expected to drop as low as –32°C in some areas. Fire and rescue services are urging residents to stay home and ensure they have sufficient food, water, and fuel. Travel outside the home is advised only for essential purposes.
“We have a surge of cold air moving from the north and northeast into Lithuania. Overnight, temperatures in some areas have already fallen below –20°C. The coming nights and days are expected to be even colder,” Paulius Starkus, senior meteorologist at Meteo LT’s Forecasts and Warnings Department, said Friday afternoon.
Starkus said clear skies overnight will cause temperatures to fall sharply, reaching –20°C to –25°C nationwide, and dropping to –27°C or –28°C in northern districts.
Saturday is expected to be sunny but cold, with daytime highs ranging from –13°C to –18°C.
Temperatures will fall further on Sunday. Overnight lows are expected between –24°C and –29°C, and some areas could see temperatures plunge to –30°C.
“A very cold night is expected. Daytime temperatures will barely reach –15°C to –20°C. The good news is that winds will be lighter,” Starkus said.
The cold wave is forecast to peak overnight Sunday into Monday, when frost is expected across the country. Temperatures could drop below –30°C, with some areas experiencing –30°C to –32°C. The coast is expected to be slightly warmer.
The frost is expected to ease slightly by Tuesday and Wednesday, though cold will persist in some regions, reaching –25°C.
Starkus noted that Lithuania has not experienced temperatures below –30°C in the past 14 years. “This threshold will be crossed, but the extreme cold will not last long,” he said.
Authorities are urging residents to check on elderly relatives, especially in rural areas, as the extreme cold may also strain heating systems.
Meteorologists say there are no signs of spring in the forecast yet.
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