Stormy weather sweeps across Lithuania, Vilnius region expected within hours

Stormy weather is moving across Lithuania, with the Vilnius region likely to be affected within hours, according to a report by LRT.lt.

The Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service has warned of short rain showers with thunderstorms, hail, and squalls in many parts of the country on Tuesday. Strong rainfall and hail have already been recorded in western Lithuania, with the storm front expected to reach the Vilnius area later in the day.

“In some places, it will rain heavily, and hail may fall. Winds will be variable, at 6–11 m/s, with squalls reaching 15–20 m/s in places,” the service stated.

As of 12:30 PM, rain clouds were moving across western Lithuania, while storm clouds with thunderstorms were observed in southern regions. The main storm belt is moving northeast.

The highest risk of severe storms is in the southeastern part of the country, including the Druskininkai municipality, Varėna district, Šalčininkai district, and the southern part of the Vilnius district. The capital itself may experience stormy weather around 5 PM, according to a warning shared by the Vilnius city municipality’s company Grinda.

“Although it is more likely that the storm will only reach the Vilnius district, we urge city residents to prepare as well,” Grinda said. The company warned that temperatures could drop sharply to around 20°C, with wind gusts reaching up to 25 m/s, along with heavy downpours and hail.

During severe storms, authorities recommend securely closing windows and doors, removing lightweight objects from yards, balconies, and other open areas, and avoiding parking near tall trees.

For those outdoors, it is advised to avoid standing under trees, near billboards, power lines, lightning rods, or metal towers, as well as open areas, water bodies, or being in the water. If caught driving in a storm, drivers should remain highly focused, keep both hands on the wheel, and adjust speed according to road conditions.

Weather changes are expected on Wednesday, with short rain showers and thunderstorms still possible in some areas overnight. Temperatures will hover around 13–18°C at night and rise to 21–26°C during the day in some parts of Lithuania.