Spring Heatwave Explosion in Poland and Government Decisions on Additional Days Off

Poland is under the influence of an exceptional meteorological anomaly, bringing temperatures significantly 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 even 18-19 degrees Celsius this coming weekend. The influx of air masses from southern Europe, associated with 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. An important point of public debate is a petition regarding the establishment of April 3, 2026 (Good Friday) as a non-working day, although currently this proposal does not yet have the form of a bill being processed. The discussion also includes the issue of Sunday trading and the proposal to introduce a four-day workweek, which, according to experts, would require a profound 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-ups. An additional organizational challenge for citizens will be the upcoming change from standard to daylight saving time. In 2026, the clock change will occur relatively early, which traditionally sparks discussions about the impact of this practice on public health and the energy economy. Although the European Union has been debating 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 worker well-being and the 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.