Riga, Feb 10 (LETA) - Snow cover in Latgale may become 20 centimeters thicker in the second half of this week, in many places exceeding half a meter in depth, according to the latest weather forecasts.

In the middle of the week, light snow is expected in many parts of Latvia, with more snowfall in Latgale and Selija, where the snow cover will become 7-10 centimeters thicker. Heavy precipitation and snow showers are likely on Friday and overnight into Saturday, with heavier precipitation forecast for southern and eastern parts of the country. Freezing rain is also possible briefly in the south, mainly in the southeast.

According to the Latvian Center for Environment, Geology and Meteorology (LVGMC), most of the country is currently covered by a layer of snow that is 10-25 centimeters thick, with more snow in Latgale - 30-40 centimeters on average, reaching 45 centimeters in Dagda.

If the precipitation forecasts come true, the snow depth could exceed 30 centimeters in most parts of the country by the end of this week, reaching 50-65 centimeters in many parts of Latgale.

According to the current Global Forecast System forecast, the frost in Latvia will ease over the next few days, but early next week the temperature will drop back down to -25 degrees C in some places.

On February 10 at 8 a.m. the air temperature in the LVGMC observation network ranged from -6 degrees C in Kolka to -30 degrees C at Daugavpils meteorological station.