Poland has come under the influence of frigid air from the Arctic, bringing a sudden weather breakdown. After a brief warm spell, snowstorms, gusty winds, and sharp temperature drops have swept across the country, reaching locally below minus 20 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists warn of difficult road conditions, black ice, and dynamic pressure changes resulting from the polar vortex breakdown. The harsh weather will persist until the end of the week, heralding a cold start to March.
Extreme Temperature Drops
Record-breaking frosts reaching -20 degrees Celsius were recorded in northeastern Poland, and IMGW forecasts predict local drops to -23 degrees.
Intense Snowstorms and Wind
An atmospheric front on February 16 brought continuous snowfall in the center and south of the country, accompanied by strong, gusty winds.
Cause in the Polar Vortex
The current weather instability results from the breakdown of the polar vortex, which opens the way for masses of frigid air straight from the Arctic.
Cold Forecasts for March
Long-term models indicate that March 2026 will be a month with temperatures below the norm, delaying the arrival of spring.
The second half of February brought a sharp turn in the weather, putting an end to the temporary warming. Frosty and dry air of Arctic origin flowed over Poland, resulting in drastic temperature drops. The most difficult situation is in the northeastern part of the country, where thermometers on the night from Sunday to Monday indicated even -20 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management warn that the frosty weather with nighttime temperature drops of around a dozen degrees below zero will persist at least until the weekend. Poland has been clearly divided into a frosty east and a somewhat milder, though still wintry, west. The cause of such dynamic changes is the breakdown of the polar vortex, which enabled the free circulation of air masses from the north. A system of lows and highs has formed over Europe, which, moving from west to east, will change atmospheric conditions in the region every few days. On Monday, February 16, intense snowfall covered the western and southern voivodeships and then reached central Poland. These precipitations, combined with gusty winds, cause snowdrifts and blizzards, significantly hindering road traffic. Historically, February in Poland has been a month of extreme frosts; the record low temperature was recorded in 1929 in Siedlce, where the mercury dropped to minus 41 degrees Celsius.-23 degrees — represent the lowest forecasted ground-level temperature valuesLong-term forecasts do not inspire optimism for those awaiting an early spring. Although a temporary warming is expected by the end of the week, meteorological models indicate a very cold March with temperatures below the long-term average. This means that frosty mornings and local freezing rain may accompany us for many more weeks. Drivers should exercise particular caution due to the phenomenon of black ice, which forms from freezing precipitation on chilled road surfaces. Thermal Conditions: Beginning vs. Winter Week: Night Temperature (NE): 0 to -3°C → -15 to -20°C; Dominant Precipitation: rain → snow and freezing drizzle; Wind: weak → strong and gusty