Poland is under the influence of an exceptionally warm air mass, which brought a sharp temperature rise at the turn of February and March. Forecasters predict local records, pointing to even 19 degrees Celsius in the warmest regions of the country. Despite the spring-like weather, the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management maintains warnings for snowmelt and river surges, especially in the northeastern part of the country where snow cover still persists.
Extreme Temperatures
Forecasts predict up to 19 degrees Celsius, a value unprecedented for the end of February in Poland.
Hydrological Alerts
IMGW maintains yellow warnings for snowmelt, especially in the eastern regions of the country.
Risk to Agriculture
Experts warn of losses resulting from premature vegetation and possible ground frosts in March.
The last weekend of February 2026 will go down in meteorological chronicles as a period of exceptionally high temperatures, significantly deviating from long-term averages for this month. The influx of warm air masses meant that in many regions of Poland, including Mazovia and southwestern regions, mercury exceeded the 15-degree Celsius barrier, and locally could reach even 19 degrees. This weather encouraged residents to engage in outdoor activities, as seen during organized runs in Bydgoszcz or on tourist trails in the Beskids. However, the weather situation remains heterogeneous; while Wrocław and Toruń enjoy cloudless skies, Warsaw and Szczecin struggle with dense cloud cover and gloom. Parallel to the spring temperatures, hydrological threats are growing. Snowmelt became the reason for issuing yellow alerts by the IMGW. The most difficult situation is in Podlasie and eastern Mazovia, where rapidly melting snow is raising water levels in rivers, threatening local flooding. Hydrological services are monitoring warning levels, fearing that the rapid transition from a frosty winter to high temperatures could destabilize local ecosystems and flood protection infrastructure. Extreme temperature fluctuations at the turn of seasons are increasingly linked to changes in air mass circulation over Central Europe, which in the past has led to sudden snowmelt floods.Experts warn against excessive optimism, reminding that March can be capricious. Long-term forecasts suggest the possibility of intense snowfall returning in the middle of the month and the risk of ground frost, which could be destructive for vegetation awakening to life. Farmers and gardeners express concern, pointing to anomalies such as snow mold on lawns or premature vegetation, which in case of a frost return could result in huge crop losses. Furthermore, public debate touches on the problem of potential agricultural drought if regular spring rains do not follow the rapid snowmelt. „Sobotnie ocieplenie przyniesie nawet 19 st. C. To dopiero początek zmian, które mogą skutkować rekordami dla tego okresu roku.” (Saturday's warming will bring up to 19°C. This is just the beginning of changes that could result in records for this time of year.) — IMGW Expert