Explosion of Spring Warmth in Poland and Government Decisions on Additional Days Off

Poland is under the influence of an exceptional meteorological anomaly, bringing temperatures far exceeding long-term averages for the turn of February and March. Thermal anomaly will cause thermometers in Lower Silesia and the southwestern belt to show up to 18-19 degrees Celsius this weekend. The influx of air masses from southern Europe, linked to a strong high-pressure block, definitively ends meteorological winter, although forecasters cautiously mention the possibility of incidental returns of cold in March. This situation forces mobilization in agriculture, where the first phase of vegetation begins, requiring precise planning of nitrogen fertilization. Parallel to weather changes, the Polish parliament and government are processing significant changes in work organization. In public debate, the proposal to establish April 3, 2026 (Good Friday) as a public holiday is resurfacing, which is the subject of a petition being analyzed by a parliamentary committee. Although this proposal would make the status of this holiday similar to Christmas Eve, there are currently no binding legislative works on it by the government. The discussion also includes the issue of Sunday trading and the proposal to introduce a four-day work week, which, according to experts, would require a deep digital transformation of enterprises to maintain productivity. Historically, the record February temperature in Poland was recorded on February 25, 2021, when thermometers in Maków Podhalański showed as much as 22.1 degrees Celsius, which to this day remains a reference point for winter warm spells. An additional organizational challenge for citizens will be the upcoming change from winter to summer time. In 2026, the clock change will occur relatively early, which traditionally sparks discussions about its impact on public health and the energy economy. Although the European Union has debated abolishing this obligation for years, member states, including Poland and Germany, continue the current practice. In the context of the upcoming Easter holidays, the first long-term forecasts suggest the persistence of warm air masses, which could mean an exceptionally sunny holiday period. „Będzie pogodnie i ciepło. Do 18 st. C na południowym zachodzie kraju.” (It will be sunny and warm. Up to 18°C in the southwestern part of the country.) — IMGW Forecaster

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the benefits of an additional day off for employee well-being and a modern work model. Conservative media express concerns about the economic costs of additional days off and the impact of free trade on the traditional family model.