Climatologist: no signs yet of record heat in August

A climatologist has said there are currently no indications that Lithuania will experience record-breaking heat in August, LRT reports.

Recent weather has been marked by rapid changes, with heavy rain and temperatures reaching up to 32°C in some areas. Synoptics note that such fluctuations are influenced by climate change, with heat records now being recorded eight times more frequently than cold records in recent years.

Meteorologist Gytis Valaika of the Hydrometeorological Service said that while June’s average temperature was not exceptional, the end of the month saw extreme heat. Several regions, including Druskininkai, set all-time June records, with temperatures reaching 36.3°C. The warmest night on record was also observed in Vente, at 24.1°C.

Gintautas Stankūnavičius, a climatologist at Vilnius University’s Institute of Geosciences, attributed the unstable weather to Lithuania’s position between contrasting air masses, combined with strong atmospheric movements. However, he noted that long-term forecasts suggest Western and possibly Central Europe may face more severe conditions, while Lithuania remains on the periphery, benefiting from sufficient rainfall.

Thanks to recent wet weather following the heatwave, climatologists say Lithuania has so far avoided the wildfires currently affecting France and Spain.

In the short term, synoptic Tadas Kantautas forecasted a sunny and warm Thursday, with temperatures rising to 24–29°C. Friday will bring a brief return of heat to southern regions—Marijampolė, Kaunas, Vilnius, and Alytus—with temperatures reaching 27–32°C, but afternoon thunderstorms are expected. More significant changes are anticipated on Saturday, with widespread short but intense rain and thunderstorms across many areas.