Latvia

Latvia

Latvia has a temperate climate that has been described in various sources as either humid continental (Köppen Dfb) or oceanic/maritime (Köppen Cfb.)

Coastal regions, especially the western coast of Courland Peninsula, possess a more maritime climate with cooler summers and milder winters, while eastern parts exhibit a more continental climate with warmer summers and harsher winters. Daugavpils in southeastern Latvia has been the site for both the lowest and highest temperatures ever recorded.

Latvia has four pronounced seasons of near-equal length. Winters, starting in mid-December and lasting till mid-March, have average temperatures of around – 6°C and are characterized by stable snow cover, bright sunshine and short days. Severe spells of winter weather with cold winds, extreme temperatures of around – 30° and heavy snowfalls are common. Summers, starting in June and lasting till August, are usually warm and sunny with cool evenings and nights. Summers have average temperatures of around +19°C with extremes of +35°C. The weather in spring and autumn is fairly mild.

Average temperatures in Latvia in 2011
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average temperatures (°C) -3.0 -8.9 -0.5 +6.8 +11.2 +17.3 +19.8 +16.8 +13.4 +7.8 +4.4 +2.1
Weather records in Latvia
Weather record Value Location Date
Highest t° 36.4 °C Daugavpils August 28, 1943
Lowest t° −43.2 °C Daugavpils February 8, 1956
Last spring frost large parts of territory June 24, 1982
First fall frost Cenas parish August 15, 1975
Highest yearly precipitation 1007 mm Priekuļi parish 1928
Lowest yearly precipitation 384 mm Ainaži 1939
Highest daily precipitation 160 mm Ventspils July 9, 1973
Highest monthly precipitation 330 mm Nīca parish August 1972
Lowest monthly precipitation 0 mm large parts of territory May 1938 and May 1941
Thickest snow cover 126 cm Gaiziņkalns March 1931
Month with the most days with blizzards 19 days Liepāja February 1956
The most days with fog in a year 143 days Gaiziņkalns area 1946
Longest lasting fog 93 hours Alūksne 1958
Highest atmospheric pressure 799.5 mm Hg Liepāja January 1907
Lowest atmospheric pressure 699.7 mm Hg Vidzeme Upland February 13, 1962
The most days with thunderstorms in a year 52 days Vidzeme Upland 1954
Strongest wind 34 m/s, up to 48 m/s not specified November 2, 1969

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