Storm sweeps Lithuania, flooding Vilnius streets

A storm moving across Lithuania has flooded streets in Vilnius and made traffic difficult, LRT reported. The storm brought intense rain and frequent lightning late on Saturday evening.

Residents reported flooding in parts of the capital, while drivers said the Jeruzalės, Naugarduko, Kalvarijų, Olimpiečių and Geležinio Vilko streets, as well as the western bypass towards the city centre, were difficult or impossible to navigate.

Meteorologists had warned that a strong storm would move across Lithuania in the evening. The Orai ir klimatas Lietuvoje weather and climate page said a level two storm warning was expected in the southern and southeastern regions.

Forecasters said Saturday would be cloudy with sunny intervals. Short showers were expected in many districts, with heavy rain in some areas. Thunderstorms were forecast across most of the country, and some powerful clouds could produce small hail.

Thunderstorms could also bring stronger winds, with gusts reaching 15 to 20 metres per second in some places, Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service forecaster Tadas Kantautas told LRT Radio.

Stormy weather was also recorded near Joniškis and Alytus on Friday evening.