Storms and strong winds to mark Lithuania’s start of autumn

Summer warmth in Lithuania will give way to a cooler and wetter spell this week, with rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected in the coming days, LRT reported, citing Teresė Kaunienė, a forecaster at the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service.

On Tuesday night, skies will be partly cloudy and some areas will see brief rain. Rain will be most likely in eastern Lithuania during the evening and along the coast and in parts of Samogitia towards dawn, where thunderstorms are also possible.

On the first day of calendar autumn, an active cold atmospheric front will move across the country, bringing more clouds. Brief and locally heavy showers are expected, mainly in western Lithuania during the first half of the day and in many areas later on. Thunderstorms will accompany the rain in many places.

Southwesterly and westerly winds will strengthen to 8 to 13 metres per second, with gusts of 15 to 20 metres per second possible during thunderstorms. Temperatures will range from 13 to 18 degrees Celsius at night and reach 17 to 22 degrees during the day.

On Wednesday, Lithuania will be affected by the southwestern edge of a departing cyclone. Brief rain is expected both overnight and during the day. Southwesterly and westerly winds will continue, with gusts of 8 to 13 metres per second and up to 16 metres per second along the coast at night. Temperatures will fall to 12 to 17 degrees overnight and rise to 18 to 23 degrees during the day.

On Thursday, Lithuania will lie between two cyclones. Brief but heavy showers will continue through the night and day. Southwesterly winds of 8 to 13 metres per second will prevail, with gusts of up to 15 metres per second along the coast. Temperatures will range from 10 to 15 degrees at night and reach 18 to 23 degrees during the day.

A new cyclone will reach Lithuania from the west on Friday, bringing heavy rain to many districts. The western part of the country is expected to receive the most precipitation. Temperatures will drop to 11 to 16 degrees overnight and remain between 17 and 22 degrees during the day.

Another small but very active cyclone will affect Lithuania on Saturday. It will bring prolonged heavy rain overnight and intermittent showers during the day. Winds will vary in direction at 6 to 11 metres per second overnight before turning westerly and strengthening to 9 to 14 metres per second during the day. Dangerous wind gusts are expected along the coast.

Temperatures will fall further, reaching 10 to 15 degrees at night and only 16 to 21 degrees during the day. Similar weather is expected on Sunday, with rain in many areas and fairly strong, gusty westerly winds. Temperatures will be little different from Saturday’s.