Stormy weather replaces heatwave in Lithuania as heavy rain hits Vilnius
Stormy weather has replaced the recent heatwave in Lithuania, with heavy rain reported in Vilnius, according to a report by LRT.lt.
The Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service (Meteo.lt) warned that thunderstorms, short bursts of rain, and squalls with hail are expected across much of the country. The first signs of severe weather were recorded in western Lithuania in the early afternoon, with rain clouds reaching Vilnius by around 16:30.
Latest data as of 15:55 shows storm clouds moving across Lithuania, accompanied by thunderstorms and wind gusts of 15–20 m/s. The main storm front is moving northeast. In the coming hours, rain clouds will continue to shift in that direction, with short bursts of rain, thunderstorms, and hail expected in some areas. Wind gusts from the southeast may reach 15–20 m/s, with local peaks up to 23 m/s.
Residents in the Varėna district, as well as areas around Prienai and Marijampolė, have shared images of heavy rain and dark, leaden clouds. The highest probability of summer storms on Tuesday is in the southeastern part of the country, including the Druskininkai municipality, Varėna district, Šalčininkai district, and the southern part of the Vilnius district.
Due to a squall, around 4,000 electricity consumers in Lithuania were left without power on Tuesday evening, according to Rasa Juodkienė, a representative of the Electricity Distribution Operator (ESO). “Due to a strong squall, electricity supply is currently disrupted for about 4,000 consumers in Lithuania. Power will be restored within 2–4 hours, depending on the location,” Juodkienė told BNS. Most outages were recorded in the Švenčionys, Vilnius, and Alytus districts. Earlier, around 17:00, about 9,000 consumers were without electricity.
Vilnius city municipality’s company Grinda shared a warning on social media for the capital’s residents. While the storm is more likely to affect the Vilnius district, city residents were also advised to prepare. The company noted that temperatures could drop sharply to around 20°C, with wind gusts up to 25 m/s, along with heavy rain and possible hail.
During summer storms, authorities recommend securely closing windows and doors, securing loose objects in yards, balconies, and other open areas, and avoiding parking near tall trees. If outdoors, people should avoid standing under trees, near billboards, power lines, lightning rods, or metal towers, and stay away from open areas, water bodies, or swimming. If caught driving in a storm, motorists should remain focused, keep both hands on the wheel, and adjust speed according to road conditions.
Weather changes are expected on Wednesday. Overnight, short bursts of rain with thunderstorms are forecast in some areas, with temperatures around 13–18°C. During the day, rain is expected to ease in most parts of Lithuania, with temperatures rising to 21–26°C.