Monday will be sunny; air quality has deteriorated in some places
Air quality in several Latvian cities has worsened due to cold weather and light winds, mainly from heating systems.
In Latvia, the air quality has deteriorated in several cities primarily due to cold weather and slow winds. The pollution is largely attributed to heating systems, which have resulted in increased levels of particulate matter, specifically PM 2.5 and PM 10, as well as nitrogen dioxide. This situation is exacerbated by the current weather conditions, which don't include any expected precipitation.
On Monday, the weather forecast indicates sunny skies with light to moderate winds from the southwest. Within the capital city, Riga, temperatures are expected to reach around -8 degrees Celsius, providing a relatively clear and sunny day despite the low temperatures affecting air quality. The overall conditions are not anticipated to bring any significant improvements to the pollution levels.
These developments highlight the challenges faced in urban areas during colder months, especially regarding air quality management and the contribution of heating systems to pollution levels. The issue underscores the importance of effective environmental policies and public awareness regarding the impacts of heating on air quality, particularly during harsh winter conditions.