Meteorologists announce Orange Code all over Moldova

Chisinau, 4 February /MOLDPRES/ - The State Hydrometeorological Service (SHS) has updated its forecasts and issued an Orange Code of sharp weather   change till 7 February.    

According to meteorologists, given the movement of an Atlantic cyclone from Western Europe, complicated weather conditions are expected in Moldova on the concerned period. Rains are forecast, switching to snowfall (7-17 litre/square metre), heavy ones in some regions (20-25 litres/square metre), with layers expected to appear on branches and electric wires in places. Snowstorm is forecast, with snow drifts and glazed frost expected on roads.  

Also, the weather will significantly cool on the next days. SHS’ data shows that, on 6-7 February, the daily air temperature will decrease by 5-7 Celsius degrees.

Given the precipitation and melted snow, the SHS’ Hydrologic Centre forecasts an increase in the water’s level in the upper course of the Prut river (Ukraine) on 4-7 February. Thus, the water level will grow by 0.5-1 metre against the level recorded on 3 February.    

Police warn that, in conditions of heavy rains and snowfall, the stopping and standing is banned on the roads where public transport is moving, in order to allow a normal carrying out of the traffic. “Use both the illumination and signaling system and the conditioning one, in order to see and be able to be seen in traffic. If you set out for a long journey, it would be desirable for you to have a full fuel tank, water for 24 hours, food, a warm blanket, a thermos flask with tea, shovel, sand, a charged cellphone and obviously, a medical pouch,” the National Patrol Inspectorate said.     

For a safety traffic, the authorities urge residents to adapt, according to the weather conditions, the way of driving and, if necessary, to call the nearest patrol crew or the 112 emergency service.  

In case of Orange Code, the weather conditions pose real danger; dangerous phenomena of great intensity are forecast (storm, heavy thunderstorm rains, hail, frost, flood risk, etc.), which can negatively influence the social and economic activities, can cause substantial material damage and human victims.