Drivers urged to be on alert after heavy snow

  • 2013-12-06
  • From wire reports, RIGA

Snow cover several centimeters deep is reported from multiple locations on Dec. 6, Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center has said.

At 8 a.m,  Priekuli has a snow cover 5 centimeters deep, Zoseni and Stende - 4 centimeters, and Aluksne 3 centimeters, reports LETA.

The Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center also informs that wind velocity in Kurzeme was up to 27 meters per second in gusts last night.

Driving conditions on all highways and regional roads are difficult this morning due to sleet and subzero temperatures, state road maintenance company Latvijas Valsts celi reports.

The roads are icy in many spots and the company's crews are out plowing and sanding the roads, the company informs.
Difficult driving conditions have been reported from Riga-Vangazi, Vangazi-Sigulda, Sigulda-Ligatne roads, as well as Riga-Ainazi, Riga-Daugavpils, Riga-Jelgava, Riga-Liepaja, Riga-Ventspils and other highways.

Driving conditions are also complicated on regional roads in Riga, Aizkraukle, Balvi, Cesis, Daugavpils, Dobele, Jelgava, Jekabpils, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Liepaja, Limbazi, Ludza, Madona, Preili, Ogre, Rezekne, Saldus, Talsi, Tukums, Valmiera, Ventspils and Valka regions.

Due to snow, driving conditions are currently difficult on Latvia's main highways around Riga and in Kurzeme (western Latvia), road maintenance company Latvijas Valsts celi says.

Driving is troublesome on the Ainazi Highway's Riga-Saulkrasti by-pass road section, the Veclaicene Highway up to Ligatne, the Valmiera Highway up to the Brasla Bridge.

Latvijas Valsts celi urges drivers to exercise caution also on Riga, Saulkalne and Babite by-pass roads and when driving to Lielvarde, Iecava, Jelgava and Kalnciems.

In Kurzeme, driving conditions are difficult on the Saldus-Liepaja section.

Elsewhere, heavy storms have battered large parts of Europe whilst fatalities have also been reported.

Heavy winds also canceled flights from Baltic airports including Riga.

Watch this incredible video of an airplane struggling to land at Birmingham, UK airport.