Weather & Climate

1. Šodien ir karsts, vai ne?

   ŠO-dien ir karsts, vai ne?

   It's hot today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Classic Latvian weather conversation opener

   Grammar Note

   Latvian is a Baltic language related to Lithuanian. "Vai ne?" is the standard tag question

2. Izskatās, ka būs lietus

   IZ-ska-tās, ka būs LIE-tus

   It looks like it will rain

   Usage

   Used when rain seems likely

   Grammar Note

   "Izskatās" is a reflexive verb meaning "appears/looks like" in Latvian

3. Tuvojas sniega vētra

   TU-vo-jas SNIE-ga VĒT-ra

   A snowstorm is approaching

   Usage

   Common winter warning in Latvia

   Grammar Note

   "Sniega vētra" = "sniega" (of snow) + "vētra" (storm). "Tuvoties" = reflexive "to approach"

4. Šodien ir vēss, vai ne?

   ŠO-dien ir vēss, vai ne?

   It's cool today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Used on cool days

   Grammar Note

   "Vēss" means "cool/fresh" in Latvian — more mild than "auksts" (cold)

5. Vai varat man pateikt laika prognozi?

   Please tell me the weather forecast

   Usage

   Politely ask about the weather forecast

   Grammar Note

   "Laika prognoze" = "laika" (of time/weather) + "prognoze". "Laiks" means both "time" and "weather"

6. Vai man vajag sauļošanās krēmu?

   vai man VA-jag SAU-ļo-ša-nās KRĒ-mu?

   Do I need sunscreen?

   Usage

   Ask before going out under the strong sun

   Grammar Note

   "Sauļošanās" (sunbathing) is a verbal noun derived from "saule" (sun)

7. Vai man vajadzētu ņemt lietussargu?

   vai man VA-ja-dzē-tu ņemt LIE-tus-sar-gu?

   Should I bring an umbrella?

   Usage

   Check whether to carry an umbrella

   Grammar Note

   "Lietussargs" = "lietus" (rain) + "sargs" (guard/protector) — literally "rain guard"

8. Kad sākas sausais periods?

   kad SĀ-kas SAU-sais PE-ri-ods?

   When is the dry season?

   Usage

   Ask about the dry season when planning travel

   Grammar Note

   "Kad" is the Latvian question word for "when"

9. Kad sākas lietussezona?

   kad SĀ-kas LIE-tus-se-zo-na?

   When is the rainy season?

   Usage

   Ask about the rainy season when planning travel

   Grammar Note

   "Lietussezona" = "lietus" (rain) + "sezona" (season) — compound noun

10. Šodien saule spīd ļoti spilgti

    ŠO-dien SAU-le spīd ĻO-ti SPILG-ti

    The sun is really strong

    Usage

    Describe the strong sunlight

    Grammar Note

    "Saule" (sun) is feminine in Latvian. In Baltic mythology, the sun is a goddess (Saule)

11. Lietus

    Rain

    Usage

    Point at it when checking the forecast; an umbrella is "lietussargs"

12. Sniegs

    Snow

    Usage

    Snow is normal in a Latvian winter; also useful for road conditions

13. Vējš

    Wind

    Usage

    The coast gets windy; a strong wind is "stiprs vējš"

14. Saulains

    Sunny

    Usage

    The adjective used in weather forecasts

15. Apmācies

    AP-mā-cies

    Cloudy

    Usage

    The forecast word for overcast; clouds themselves are "mākoņi"

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