Riga, Feb 12 (LETA) - Due to the snowfall expected on Friday, an orange warning has been issued for the entire country, including the capital city.

The Latvian Centre for Environment, Geology and Meteorology's warning for prolonged and heavy snow and blizzard conditions will come into force at 8 a.m. on Friday.

As reported, a wide area of moderate to heavy snow and blizzard conditions will begin to cross Latvia from the southwest early on Friday morning, also rain can be expected in the southeast of the country. The heaviest snowfall is expected to end on Saturday morning in eastern Latvia.

10-25 centimeters of fresh snow are expected in most of the country, with less snow in the northwest - in Ventspils and Kolkasrags, as well as in Salacgriva and Rujiena. East-northern and eastern winds will gust up to 11-16 meters per second, and up to 20 meters per second on the Kurzeme coast of the Gulf of Riga.

In the capital, a light snowfall will start on Friday morning and become heavy during the day, gradually easing overnight into Saturday.

Heavy snowfall may make some roads impassable and rail tracks may be snowbound in places. The situation will be worst starting from Friday afternoon.

On Friday, the sky will be covered by thick cloud cover. Minimum night temperatures will range from -4 degrees C in Daugavpils to -13 degrees C in northern Vidzeme. In the afternoon, -4..-9 degrees C are expected, while on Friday evening the temperature may rise to +1 degree C in the Belarusian border area.