A winter weather system, dubbed Leonie, is forecast to bring a volatile mix of precipitation and frigid temperatures to much of europe, with especially hazardous conditions expected in the Baltics.Lithuania is bracing for a multi-day period of fluctuating conditions begining Monday, January 26th, that will include freezing rain, snow, and strong winds, before a return to sustained cold by the weekend. Residents are advised to prepare for possibly dangerous travel conditions and extremely low “feels like” temperatures.
A high-pressure system that brought dry, cold conditions is moving eastward, giving way to a series of low-pressure systems stretching from Greenland to the Mediterranean Sea. The shift in weather patterns is expected to bring a mix of precipitation and fluctuating temperatures to much of Europe, including a system named Leonie.
Leonie will reach the region with warmer, more humid air, impacting conditions beginning Tuesday, January 27th, and continuing through Wednesday, January 28th. The weather will be a “detective story” of temperatures, precipitation types, and freezing rain, according to forecasts. Tuesday will see a division in conditions, with colder temperatures and primarily snow in the west and north, while areas to the southwest, center, and south will experience a mix of precipitation, including dangerous freezing rain.
Unsettled conditions with varying precipitation and temperatures are expected to continue on Wednesday, January 28th. A strengthening high-pressure system moving in from Scandinavia will bring colder air and end the unsettled pattern by Thursday, January 29th. Expect a return of strong, cold easterly winds. While significant snowfall is not anticipated, any remaining snow or ice could refreeze, creating hazardous conditions. The return of colder weather signals a continuation of winter’s challenges.
Light snow is possible overnight Monday, January 26th, with some areas experiencing blowing snow and fog. A light glaze of ice is also possible, particularly in the western and northwestern regions. During the day on Monday, a mix of precipitation is expected, with snow predominating in the northwest and north, and a mix of snow, sleet, and drizzle in the southwest, south, and southeast. Freezing rain is expected to become more widespread throughout the country during the day, with the most hazardous conditions anticipated in the southwest, central, and southern regions. Winds will be from the east and southeast overnight, shifting to the east and northeast during the day, at 7-12 m/s, with gusts up to 14 m/s. Temperatures will begin around minus 8 to minus 13 degrees Celsius (17 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit), dropping to as low as minus 14 to minus 16 degrees Celsius (7 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit) in northern areas overnight, then rising to minus 1 to minus 6 degrees Celsius (30 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, with the coldest temperatures in the north and warmer temperatures up to 1 degree Celsius (34 degrees Fahrenheit) in the south.
Tuesday, January 27th, will bring intermittent mixed precipitation – snow and sleet in the west and north, and rain with sleet in the southwest, south, and southeast, along with fog and lingering freezing rain. Winds will be from the east at 7-12 m/s, and 5-10 m/s in the south and southeast. Temperatures will range from minus 1 to minus 6 degrees Celsius (30 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight and during the day, with temperatures dropping to minus 8 degrees Celsius (17 degrees Fahrenheit) in northern areas, and rising to 2 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southwest, south, and southeast.
Wednesday, January 28th, will see a shift to primarily snow, with widespread icy conditions. Winds will be from the north and northeast at 2-6 m/s overnight, increasing to 5-10 m/s during the day. Temperatures will be between minus 1 and minus 6 degrees Celsius (30 and 21 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight and during the day, dropping to minus 7 to minus 9 degrees Celsius (19 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit) in northern areas.
Thursday, January 29th, will be snow-free. Winds will be from the north and northeast overnight, shifting to northeast and east during the day at 7-12 m/s, with gusts up to 15-17 m/s. Temperatures will be between minus 11 and minus 16 degrees Celsius (12 and 3 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight and during the day, with slightly warmer temperatures of minus 7 to minus 10 degrees Celsius (19 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit) in southern areas. (The “feels like” temperature will be even lower.)
Friday, January 30th, will also be snow-free. Winds will be from the east at 7-12 m/s, with gusts up to 15 m/s, and up to 17 m/s in the west and southwest. Overnight lows will be minus 16 to minus 21 degrees Celsius (3 to -6 degrees Fahrenheit), coldest in the north and east, with daytime highs of minus 11 to minus 16 degrees Celsius (12 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit). (The “feels like” temperature will be even lower.)
Saturday, January 31st, will remain snow-free. Winds will be from the east at 7-12 m/s, with gusts up to 15 m/s, and up to 17 m/s along the coast. Overnight lows will be minus 18 to minus 23 degrees Celsius (0 to -9 degrees Fahrenheit), with slightly warmer temperatures of minus 14 to minus 17 degrees Celsius (7 to 1 degrees Fahrenheit) in the west and southwest. Daytime highs will be minus 12 to minus 17 degrees Celsius (10 to 1 degrees Fahrenheit). (The “feels like” temperature will be even lower.)
Sunday, February 1st, will also be snow-free. Winds will be from the east at 7-12 m/s, with gusts up to 15 m/s. Overnight lows will be minus 20 to minus 24 degrees Celsius (-4 to -11 degrees Fahrenheit), with slightly warmer temperatures of minus 17 to minus 19 degrees Celsius (1 to -2 degrees Fahrenheit) in the west and southwest. Daytime highs will be minus 13 to minus 18 degrees Celsius (9 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit). (The “feels like” temperature will be even lower.)
