Morning does not always arrive gently. Sometimes it comes wrapped in silence, with roads glazed in uncertainty and horizons blurred by drifting snow. In Latvia’s eastern border regions, Friday dawn unfolded with particular care, asking drivers to move not with urgency, but with patience.
The most difficult driving conditions were reported early in the day along the eastern border area, where snowfall, icy surfaces, and reduced visibility combined to challenge traffic flow. Road maintenance teams were deployed from the early hours, working steadily to clear and treat major routes.
According to road authorities, sections affected by compacted snow and black ice were especially demanding, requiring reduced speeds and heightened attention. While main highways remained passable, secondary and regional roads proved more unpredictable.
Meteorological services indicated that fluctuating temperatures contributed to rapidly changing conditions. In some areas, light snowfall followed by freezing air created a thin but treacherous surface layer, often difficult to detect before the vehicle responds.
Drivers were urged to allow extra travel time, maintain greater distance between vehicles, and avoid sudden maneuvers. Officials emphasized that even short journeys carried increased risk under such conditions.
Police reported no major incidents in the early hours but noted a rise in minor slide-offs and traffic disruptions typical of winter mornings. Authorities reiterated that caution, rather than speed, remains the most reliable companion in such weather.
As the morning progressed, conditions were expected to gradually improve with continued road treatment. Still, drivers were reminded that winter does not move uniformly — one stretch of road may appear safe, while the next quietly challenges control.
In the end, the message carried by the morning was simple: on days like these, arriving safely matters more than arriving quickly.
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Sources Latvian State Roads (Latvijas Valsts ceļi) Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) LSM – Latvijas Sabiedriskie Mediji LETA News Agency State Police of Latvia