Poland is grappling with the sudden arrival of spring weather, which has brought record temperatures reaching up to 20 degrees Celsius locally. While the sunny weather has drawn crowds to parks and beaches, the hydrological situation is becoming critical. Firefighters are intervening due to river surges, particularly in Masovia and Warmia, where the highest alarm levels have been declared because of ice jams and intense snowmelt.
Record temperatures in February
20 degrees Celsius was recorded in the coastal town of Darłowo, an extremely unusual value for the end of winter in Poland.
Third-degree hydrological alerts
River surges, particularly on the Wkra River, forced services to implement the highest warning levels.
Dozens of fire service interventions
Firefighters are battling flooded basements and properties in Warmia, Masuria, and the central part of the country.
Weather change and the Doreena front
The forecasted passage of an atmospheric front could bring cooling and precipitation, changing the dynamics of the snowmelt.
The turn of February and March 2026 has gone down in the history of Polish meteorology as a period of extreme thermal anomalies. Thermometers in Darłowo showed 20 degrees Celsius, prompting thousands of Poles to engage in outdoor activities. This situation is the result of a specific barometric setup and the action of anticyclones, which blocked the inflow of cold air from the north, favoring warm masses from the south. However, this spectacular change in weather carries serious consequences for public safety. The rapid warming caused massive snowmelt, which, combined with local rainfall, led to the exceedance of alarm levels on many rivers. A particularly difficult situation prevails in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship and in Masovia. The State Fire Service in the Warmia region alone intervened dozens of times, pumping water out of flooded properties and basements. A critical point on the map of Poland remains the Wkra River, where services are constantly monitoring ice jams. Rescuers are appealing to residents and tourists not to approach riverbeds, as the backed-up water could break through ice barriers at any moment. Meteorologists warn that the arrival of the Doreena front could bring a temporary return of winter weather in some regions, further complicating the hydrological situation. Over the last two decades, Poland has observed increasingly frequent cases of so-called flash flood melt events, which climate researchers link to the destabilization of the jet stream.Despite the threats, the beginning of the meteorological spring was celebrated in large agglomerations such as Poznań, Kraków, and Bydgoszcz, where record attendance was noted on bicycle paths and in city parks. Services remain on high alert, preparing for the potential need for property evacuation in the most threatened counties of central Poland. „Służby PSP i OSP na bieżąco monitorują sytuację na Wkrze. Apelujemy o niezbliżanie się do rzek i zatorów.” (PSP and OSP services are continuously monitoring the situation on the Wkra River. We appeal to people not to approach rivers and ice jams.) — Rescue services statement
Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the joyful aspect of early spring, focusing on urban activities and recreation. Conservative media place greater emphasis on service readiness and the threat to farms and property.