Record heat gives way to violent storms across Poland, with hail and 100 km/h winds forecast
After temperatures soared to a record 40.5°C on Sunday, Poland faces a day of dangerous thunderstorms, with warnings of large hail, flash flooding, and wind gusts up to 115 km/h.
Record-shattering heat
On Sunday, the meteorological station in Słubice recorded 40.5°C, the highest temperature ever measured in Poland. Other stations also broke local records: Zielona Góra reached 38.9°C and Gorzów 38.7°C. The heatwave, which has gripped the country for days, pushed daytime highs to between 35°C and 39°C in central and eastern regions, with some forecasts suggesting up to 42°C. Nights offered little relief, with tropical nights keeping temperatures above 20°C and high humidity adding to the discomfort.
Warning! Heatwave forecast. Avoid sun exposure and physical exertion. Stay hydrated. Wear a hat and light clothing.
Sunday's violent storms
As the heat peaked, thunderstorms erupted in the western voivodeships of lubuskie and Wielkopolska. Fire brigades responded to over 100 incidents: fallen trees blocked roads, including national road DK27 near Bieniów, and damaged cars in Skwierzyna and Strzelce Krajeńskie. Hail was reported, and wind gusts reached up to 100 km/h. The storms were a precursor to a more widespread outbreak expected on Monday, driven by a cold front colliding with the hot, humid air mass.
Monday's nationwide threat
The IMGW issued second-degree storm warnings for a broad swath of Poland, from Dolny Śląsk and Opolskie through Śląsk, Małopolskie, Świętokrzyskie, and Podkarpackie, extending into parts of central and eastern voivodeships. Forecasters predict intense rainfall of 30 to 55 mm, hail up to 5 cm in diameter, and wind gusts reaching 115 km/h. In the south, slower-moving storms raise the risk of flash flooding, with local totals up to 50 mm. First-degree warnings cover northern areas, with gusts to 85 km/h. Supercell thunderstorms are possible, increasing the danger of large hail and even tornadoes.
Warning! Overnight and tomorrow (29.06) intense rainfall, strong wind, and thunderstorms likely. Power outages possible. Avoid open spaces.
Heat warnings persist
Despite the approaching storms, third-degree heat alerts remain in effect until 20:00 on Monday for much of central and eastern Poland, including Mazowieckie, Lubelskie, and Podkarpackie. Temperatures are forecast to reach 38-39°C, with high humidity adding to the discomfort. The Mazowieckie voivodship also warned of elevated ozone levels. The combination of extreme heat and severe storms creates a particularly hazardous situation.
- Słubice records 40.5°C, the highest temperature in Polish history.
- Thunderstorms strike lubuskie and Wielkopolska; fire brigade responds to over 100 calls for fallen trees and damage.
- RCB sends SMS alerts for overnight and Monday storms to multiple voivodeships.
- IMGW second-degree storm warnings take effect in parts of Dolny Śląsk.
- Storms forecast to intensify and spread to central and southern Poland, with hail and wind up to 115 km/h.
- Third-degree heat warnings expire; cooling expected later in the week.
Response and outlook
The RCB sent SMS alerts to residents in multiple voivodeships, advising them to secure loose objects, avoid parking under trees, and monitor weather updates. Forest fire danger was raised to the third degree in lubuskie, and a first-degree hydrological warning was issued for rapid water level rises in Dolny Śląsk. Cooling is expected later in the week, but scattered showers and thunderstorms may persist.
