If you thought winter had shown its teeth, we have disappointing news: that was just a warm-up for the real storm. Renowned meteorologist Elvyra Latvėnaitė shares her latest, alarming forecast: a powerful anticyclone named “Danielius” is heading forLithuania, bringing with it the bone-chilling air of the Arctic. In the coming days, the cold will only intensify, with thermometers dropping to record lows at night. For those enjoying milder weather, Latvėnaitė has a stark message: the colder changes are here, and they are getting even colder.
The Culprit: Anticyclone “Danielius”
The reason behind these drastic changes is a dry, clear northern anticyclone named “Danielius.” Settled over Scandinavia, the Baltics, and Eastern Europe, it brings not only clear skies but also harsh, unpleasant easterly winds that make the cold feel even more severe.
When to Expect the Cold’s Peak?
The most intense cold strike is expected over the weekend and the beginning of next week, as the core of the anticyclone reaches us. The good news? The winds will calm down. The bad news? It will be bitterly cold, especially at night. Latvėnaitė’s data indicates temperatures could reach a staggering -27 degrees Celsius.
A slight thaw is only expected in the latter half of next week, as a system of cyclones begins to strengthen from the west and southwest. Lithuania will find itself at the junction of two different air systems: the southeasterly wind will pick up again, but we won’t see precipitation yet. The chill is expected to ease by a few degrees.
So for now, these are the cold (but not the coldest!) tidings from the weather office.
Chilling Legends: Wind as Spirits of the Dead
In her forecast, the meteorologist also shares intriguing ethnological facts. Our ancestors didn’t just fear the winds; they believed in their mystical origins. It was thought that winds were caused by… spirits.
“They walk, they flutter not only individually but in masses (herds), growing and shrinking together, having their special paths and roads, upon which, when houses stand, they appear to people,” reads a treasure trove of ancient wisdom.
It was believed that if a house stood on a spirit’s path, they could even blow the roof off. Even more interestingly, the strength of the wind was used to judge the sinful nature of the spirits:
- Hurricanes were caused by the spirits of wicked people.
- Storms by those who had sinned less.
- A light, cool breeze by the spirits of good people.
- Tornadoes were linked to the unjust, impure, or untimely deaths of the deceased.
Detailed Weather Forecast: Day by Day
Latvėnaitė provides an extremely detailed weather outlook for the coming days. Brace yourselves – it’s going to be extreme.
Thursday, January 29th:
Expect a little more snow, mostly at night and in the northeastern and eastern regions. The wind will blow from the east-northeast at 7–12 m/s, with gusts reaching up to 14 m/s in coastal areas.
- Night: –12–16°C (–7–11°C in southern regions).
- Day: –8–13°C (–6–7°C in southern regions).
- Note: The wind chill will make the air temperature feel even lower.
Friday, January 30th:
No more snow expected. The wind will remain biting (east, northeast), with gusts up to 14 m/s.
- Night: It will cool down to –13–18°C, and in the north and northeast, even to –19–22°C.
- Day: –11–16°C, with the north remaining the coldest.
Saturday, January 31st:
No snow. The wind will calm down (5–10 m/s during the day).
- Night: Thermometers will show –20–25°C! Only in the western and southern fringes will it be “warmer” (–16–19°C).
- Day: –11–16°C, with temperatures possibly remaining around –18°C in the northeast.
Sunday, February 1st:
No snow, but fog may form in some places at night, and a gray wall could persist along the coast even during the day. Wind will be weak (3–6 m/s).
- Night: Freezing –24–27°C (coldest in the north), –18–23°C in the west.
- Day: –13–18°C, with some areas feeling as cold as –20°C.
Monday, February 2nd:
Similar weather – no snow, fog possible along the coast.
- Night: Again extreme –24–27°C.
- Day: –14–19°C, up to –20°C in the east and northeast.
Tuesday, February 3rd:
No snow, southeasterly wind at 4–8 m/s.
- Night: –24–27°C, –21–23°C in the west.
- Day: –13–18°C.
Wednesday, February 4th:
No snow, wind will strengthen (5–10 m/s).
- Night: –20–25°C.
- Day: –11–15°C.
Thursday, February 5th:
No snow, but the wind will rage – southeasterly gusts will reach 15 m/s.
- Night: –16–21°C.
- Day: –9–13°C.
The meteorologist wishes everyone to stay healthy, safe, and enjoy cozy evenings in warm homes.
How are you preparing for this extreme cold snap? Share your tips in the comments below!