Latvia Braces for Heavy Rain and Flooding Under Orange Storm Warning

Latvia has issued an orange-level storm warning for violent thunderstorms, heavy rain, and potential flooding across much of the country on Monday, July 20, while U.S. authorities have issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings in Minnesota and a red flag fire weather warning in North Dakota.

Latvia Issues Orange Storm Warning

An orange danger warning covers most of Kurzeme and Northern Vidzeme in Latvia from 11:00 until midnight, with a yellow alert elsewhere. [1] Up to 40 mm or more of rain is possible in some areas, risking flooding of property, infrastructure, roads, and requiring possible evacuations. [1] The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre stated that heavy downpours and thunderstorms in many places may cause flooding in some places, disrupt services and communications and will make driving particularly hazardous. [1] According to current forecasts, the amount of precipitation will reach 10–30 millimetres in most of Latvia by late Monday evening, but in places in Vidzeme and Kurzeme up to 40 millimetres or even more are possible. [1]

Hazards and Impacts in Latvia

Strong wind gusts up to 15–19 m/s are forecast, especially in coastal Kurzeme and during thunderstorms. [1] Temperatures will reach around +22 C to +25 C. [1] The maximum air temperature in most of the country will be around +22 degrees Celsius, though in the east of the country it could reach +25 C. [1] It is expected that river floodplains and low-lying areas will flood, in some places also causing flooding of property and infrastructure, possible washing out of roads and damage to infrastructure. [1] There is a possibility that evacuation will be necessary in flooded areas. [1] Dangerous driving conditions on the road due to reduced visibility and aquaplaning are highlighted, along with the risk that electricity and water supplies, telecommunications communications will be disrupted. [1] Crops and plantations will be damaged due to high humidity and flooding. [1] Residents are urged not to visit or move to flood-prone areas, not to endanger themselves and not to hinder the work of rescue services. [1] Stormwater sewerage and drainage systems should be taken care of in a timely manner, maintaining them in functional order to drain stormwater as efficiently as possible. [1]

U.S. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for northeastern Traverse County in Minnesota and northeastern Roberts County in South Dakota until 3:00 AM CDT, with 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail. [4] At 220 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Rosholt, moving east at 45 mph. [4] Hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail, with hail damage to vehicles expected and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [4] A separate severe thunderstorm warning covered parts of Chippewa County, Minnesota, with the same hazards of 60 mph gusts and quarter-size hail moving southeast at 45 mph. [5] At 148 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 11 miles south of Benson, or 15 miles north of Montevideo, moving southeast at 45 mph. [5] Locations impacted include Clontarf, Danvers, Hagen, Big Bend City, Benson Airport, Lake Hassel, Benson, Watson, Montevideo Airport, De Graff, Murdock, Asbury, Monson Lake State Park, and Sun. [5] The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area, so the warning will be allowed to expire, though gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm. [2]

Critical Fire Weather in North Dakota

A red flag warning is in effect from noon to 9 PM CDT in Morton, Grant, Sioux, and Emmons counties in North Dakota due to northwest winds of 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph and relative humidity dropping to 20 percent. [3] Critical fire weather conditions are expected in parts of south central North Dakota this afternoon and early evening. [3] Northwest winds will increase to around 25 mph this afternoon, with gusts as high as 40 mph. [3] Relative humidity will fall as low as 20 percent this afternoon as temperatures rise into the lower 9. [3]

Forecast Context and Preparation

The warning is in place from 11:00 until midnight, though the worst of the weather is expected in the afternoon and evening. [1] People should be prepared in advance, particularly as the first half of the day will be deceptively pleasant and sunny in many places. [1] A mostly slow northeasterly or easterly wind will blow, which will become gusty in the afternoon and evening in Kurzeme, in places on the coast reaching up to 15–19 metres per second. [1] Stronger wind gusts are also possible during thunderstorms. [1] In Riga, the sun will shine through the clouds in the morning, the sky will become cloudy in the afternoon and rain is expected thereafter. [1] For more information on what to do in case of a flood, residents can consult official guidance from responsible institutions. [1]

What to watch next: Continued monitoring of thunderstorm movement in Minnesota and South Dakota areas where gusty winds remain possible after warnings expire, alongside the red flag conditions persisting through 9 PM CDT in the listed North Dakota counties and the orange alert holding until midnight in the primary Latvian regions.