The last weekend of February brought Poland anomalous weather, with temperatures reaching locally 20 degrees Celsius. Poland found itself under the influence of stable high-pressure systems that blocked the influx of cold air. Residents across the country, from the Baltic coast to the Beskids, flocked to parks and hiking trails en masse. While the days resemble spring, frosts still dominate at night, forcing farmers and drivers to exercise particular caution.
Record Heat Over the Baltic
A local February record of 20 degrees Celsius was recorded in Darłowo, triggering a massive influx of tourists to Baltic beaches and promenades.
Anticyclonic Block Over Poland
High-pressure systems blocked access to cold air masses, guaranteeing sunny weather in most regions of the country at the turn of the month.
Large Temperature Fluctuations
Warm days are accompanied by frosty nights and mornings with frosts, requiring citizens to be cautious and dress in layers.
The last day of February and the first day of March 2026 will go down in meteorological records as an exceptionally warm period, characterized by temperatures significantly exceeding long-term averages. The main cause of this anomaly is a specific baric system, in which powerful anticyclones formed a block over Central Europe. The highest temperatures were recorded in the southwest of the country, where thermometers locally approached 20 degrees Celsius. Although on the coast, including in Darłowo, it was exceptionally warm for this time of year, these values were several degrees lower than inland. A similar phenomenon was observed in the south of the country, including in the Beskids, where tourists ending their winter holidays swapped skis for light jackets and bicycles. Cities such as Poznań, Kraków, and Bydgoszcz recorded record attendance at recreational spots, and cross-country runners competed in almost summer-like conditions. Despite the sunny weather during the day, the meteorological situation remains complex due to large temperature amplitudes. While Poles enjoy the sun in the afternoons, nights and mornings bring frosts, posing a risk to vegetation awakening to life. Farmers are monitoring the condition of their crops, fearing that too early a start to vegetation will expose winter crops to losses if frosty winter returns in March. Additionally, in some regions of the country, including Masovia, intermittent rainfall is forecast, which may slightly lower the perceived temperature at the beginning of March. Historically, the warmest February in Poland was recorded in 1990, when the average temperature exceeded the norm by several degrees, and Maków Podhalański then recorded 21.4 degrees Celsius.Long-term forecasts from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management suggest that March may maintain the above-average temperature trend, although they do not rule out episodes of snowfall. The anticyclonic block currently dominating over the country may persist for several more days, ensuring stable, dry weather, which is beneficial for the tourism and gastronomy sectors but raises concerns among climatologists pointing to progressive climate warming in Central Europe. This phenomenon directly influences social moods, as confirmed by numerous media reports about widespread optimism sparked by the first gusts of spring. „Wreszcie widzę uśmiech na twarzy ludzi, słońce całkowicie zmieniło nastroje w tę sobotę.” (Finally, I see smiles on people's faces, the sun completely changed the mood this Saturday.) — Resident of Ustka Maximum Temperatures in Selected Cities (28.02): Darłowo: 20, Warszawa: 15, Poznań: 17, Ustka: 15, Wrocław: 19 20 stopni — was the maximum temperature on the Polish coast