Due to the forecasted strong storm that will hit Riga on Saturday and continue into Sunday, city authorities have urged residents to take heightened precautions. Riga residents are advised not to visit parks, playgrounds, and cemeteries, and to refrain from using personal vehicles whenever possible. The reason for this is the expected strong gusts of wind, heavy rains, and the possibility of flooding in certain areas. Places with a large number of trees become particularly dangerous during strong winds. Even healthy trees can break or lose large branches, so it is better to postpone walks in parks. Municipal services, in cooperation with the State Fire and Rescue Service, are already preparing to operate in an enhanced mode. After the bad weather begins, they will clear roads and park alleys of fallen trees, eliminate damage to public transport contact networks, monitor water levels, and carry out other emergency work. Riga's Vice Mayor Edward Ratnieks addressed residents through the social network X, urging them to exercise caution, follow the recommendations of emergency services, and not to leave home unless necessary. According to him, all city services are on high alert and ready to respond quickly to the consequences of the bad weather. Meteorologists predict that rain will begin early Saturday morning, and by evening the wind will significantly strengthen. In Riga and along the Vidzeme coast, gusts may reach 32 meters per second, which corresponds to a very strong storm. The situation is complicated by the fact that many mass outdoor events are scheduled for Saturday in the capital. Among them are the European Family Festival in Victory Park, a concert by Gacho and Mesa at the Large Stage of Mežaparks, the international BMX Simple Session Street Series 2026 competition, the "Sunflower Path" march in support of Ukraine, and other events. Organizers and participants are advised to closely monitor the weather forecast and service announcements, as weather conditions may affect the conduct of events.
