Poland braces for severe storms and heatwave up to 39°C as cold front approaches
IMGW has issued level 2 and 3 warnings for almost the entire country, with temperatures reaching 39°C and thunderstorms bringing hail and wind gusts up to 115 km/h.
Heatwave grips most of Poland
On Monday, June 29, a heatwave continues across Poland, with the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) maintaining level 3 heat warnings for much of the country. Temperatures are forecast to reach between 35 and 39 degrees Celsius during the day, while nighttime lows will stay between 18 and 25 degrees. The coast remains cooler, with highs around 22 degrees. Level 2 heat warnings cover the north and west, where thermometers may show up to 34 degrees.
Storms and warnings issued
Alongside the heat, severe thunderstorms are expected. IMGW has issued level 2 storm warnings for the entire areas of Dolnośląskie, Opolskie, Śląskie, Małopolskie, Świętokrzyskie, and Podkarpackie voivodeships, as well as southern parts of Lubuskie, Wielkopolskie, Łódzkie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie. These storms may bring very heavy rain (30 to 55 mm), wind gusts up to 115 km/h, and hail.
Thunderstorms are forecast, accompanied locally by very heavy rainfall of 30 to 55 mm and wind gusts up to 115 km/h. Hail may also occur.
Level 1 storm warnings are in place for most of Zachodniopomorskie and northern parts of Lubuskie and Wielkopolskie, with rainfall up to 35 mm and wind gusts up to 85 km/h.
- Level 2 storm warnings begin for Lubuskie, northern Dolnośląskie, and southeastern Wielkopolskie.
- Morning storm warnings expire for those areas.
- Level 1 storm warnings start for Zachodniopomorskie and northern Lubuskie/Wielkopolskie.
- Level 2 storm warnings begin for most of southern and central Poland.
- All heat and storm warnings expire.
Cold front brings relief to northwest
A cold front associated with a low over Iceland is moving into northwestern and western Poland, bringing cooler polar maritime air. This will cause a drop in temperatures in those regions, while the rest of the country remains under the influence of hot tropical air. The front is also triggering the thunderstorms, which may develop as early as the morning hours in a band from Mazury through northern Mazowsze to Ziemia Lubuska and northern Dolny Śląsk.
What to expect on Tuesday
The heat will ease slightly on Tuesday, with maximum temperatures ranging from 26 to 35 degrees, though the coast will again stay around 22 degrees. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast, especially in the southern half of the country, with hail and wind gusts up to 90 km/h possible. The IMGW warns that some storms may be violent.
