RIGA — The snowfall that has overwhelmed the Latvian capital, creating impossible traffic jams, headaches for civic leaders, and endless joy for children and skiers, is that largest in a century, the meteorological agency has said.

The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center announced Tuesday that the average snow cover in Riga was 55 cm, the most since 57 cm was recorded in [private_supervisor]1909.

Tuesday was also the first day in nearly two months that the thermometer held steady over 0°C (32°F), turning much of the snow into slush and creating a serious health hazard due to falling ice and snow from rooftops.

However, overnight Wednesday the mercury dropped below zero, freezing much of the melt and covering the streets with ice.

Riga Mayor Nils Ušakovs said Monday that the city would have to find up to an additional 2.5 million lats (€3.5 million) to clear all the snow. He said 8 million lats (€11.2 million) had been budgeted for this purpose, but due to the sheer amount of snow more funds would have to be allocated.

He also said many homeowners preferred to pay a fine for not clearing their roofs since the fine was cheaper than hiring laborers to do the job. In many cases roofs are steep and require an experienced climber with the necessary equipment.

Ušakovs said the Riga City Council was considering raising the fine to get homeowners to do the right thing.

Meanwhile, medical workers have expressed apprehension that the avalanches of snow and ice from the rooftops will spark a surge in injuries, and possibly even fatalities.[/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]1909.

Tuesday was also the first day in nearly two months that the thermometer held steady over 0°C (32°F), turning much of the snow into slush and creating a serious health hazard due to falling ice and snow from rooftops.

However, overnight Wednesday the mercury dropped below zero, freezing much of the melt and covering the streets with ice.

Riga Mayor Nils Ušakovs said Monday that the city would have to find up to an additional 2.5 million lats (€3.5 million) to clear all the snow. He said 8 million lats (€11.2 million) had been budgeted for this purpose, but due to the sheer amount of snow more funds would have to be allocated.

He also said many homeowners preferred to pay a fine for not clearing their roofs since the fine was cheaper than hiring laborers to do the job. In many cases roofs are steep and require an experienced climber with the necessary equipment.

Ušakovs said the Riga City Council was considering raising the fine to get homeowners to do the right thing.

Meanwhile, medical workers have expressed apprehension that the avalanches of snow and ice from the rooftops will spark a surge in injuries, and possibly even fatalities.[/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]1909.

Tuesday was also the first day in nearly two months that the thermometer held steady over 0°C (32°F), turning much of the snow into slush and creating a serious health hazard due to falling ice and snow from rooftops.

However, overnight Wednesday the mercury dropped below zero, freezing much of the melt and covering the streets with ice.

Riga Mayor Nils Ušakovs said Monday that the city would have to find up to an additional 2.5 million lats (€3.5 million) to clear all the snow. He said 8 million lats (€11.2 million) had been budgeted for this purpose, but due to the sheer amount of snow more funds would have to be allocated.

He also said many homeowners preferred to pay a fine for not clearing their roofs since the fine was cheaper than hiring laborers to do the job. In many cases roofs are steep and require an experienced climber with the necessary equipment.

Ušakovs said the Riga City Council was considering raising the fine to get homeowners to do the right thing.

Meanwhile, medical workers have expressed apprehension that the avalanches of snow and ice from the rooftops will spark a surge in injuries, and possibly even fatalities.[/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]1909.

Tuesday was also the first day in nearly two months that the thermometer held steady over 0°C (32°F), turning much of the snow into slush and creating a serious health hazard due to falling ice and snow from rooftops.

However, overnight Wednesday the mercury dropped below zero, freezing much of the melt and covering the streets with ice.

Riga Mayor Nils Ušakovs said Monday that the city would have to find up to an additional 2.5 million lats (€3.5 million) to clear all the snow. He said 8 million lats (€11.2 million) had been budgeted for this purpose, but due to the sheer amount of snow more funds would have to be allocated.

He also said many homeowners preferred to pay a fine for not clearing their roofs since the fine was cheaper than hiring laborers to do the job. In many cases roofs are steep and require an experienced climber with the necessary equipment.

Ušakovs said the Riga City Council was considering raising the fine to get homeowners to do the right thing.

Meanwhile, medical workers have expressed apprehension that the avalanches of snow and ice from the rooftops will spark a surge in injuries, and possibly even fatalities.[/private_subscription 1 year]

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