IMGW issues second-degree storm warnings for most of Poland as heatwave holds the west and centre

Poland's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has issued a suite of weather warnings, with second-degree alerts for storms in almost the entire country and first- and second-degree heat warnings persisting across the west and central regions. The Government Centre for Security (RCB) sent a nationwide text alert overnight, asking residents to stay indoors and brace for possible power cuts.

Widespread storm warnings

Second-degree storm warnings were activated at 14:00 on Saturday and cover all but three areas: the province of Silesia, the eastern part of Lesser Poland, and Strzelce county in Opole (where a lower first-degree alert applies). In the southern part of Lower Silesia the institute raised the warning to the rarely used third degree, forecasting accumulated rainfall up to 70 mm and wind gusts of 80 to 90 km/h, reaching 110 km/h locally. Across the rest of the alert zone, heavy downpours of 25 to 40 litres per square metre are expected, with local peaks of 55 mm. Gusts of 75 to 115 km/h will accompany the storms, and hail is likely. Most of the storm warnings will expire during the night from Saturday to Sunday, but some counties will keep them active until 08:00 on Monday.

Heatwave persists

Second-degree heat warnings are in effect for the provinces of Greater Poland, Łódź, Holy Cross, Silesia, Opole, Lubusz, and parts of West Pomerania, Kujawy-Pomerania, Mazovia, Lublin, Subcarpathia, and Lesser Poland. Daytime highs there will reach 30 to 33 degrees Celsius, climbing locally to 35 degrees; overnight lows will stay between 18 and 21 degrees. A first-degree heat alert covers the eastern third of the country, the southern fringe of Pomerania, and the southern edge of Lower Silesia. All heat warnings remain valid until 20:00 on Sunday.

Hydrological risks

Because the forecast deluge may cause rivers to rise rapidly, IMGW also issued first-degree hydrological warnings along a central belt stretching from the Pomeranian coast down to Lesser Poland. The designation means that water levels, although still below official warning stages, could locally and briefly exceed those thresholds.

Government response

Warning! Today and tomorrow (20/21.06) probable heavy rain, strong wind and thunderstorms. Possible power outages. Avoid open spaces.

The RCB SMS alert reached mobile users across the entire country on Friday, urging them to stay inside and prepare for blackouts. IMGW stressed that both first- and second-degree meteorological warnings indicate dangerous phenomena that may cause substantial material damage and threaten life and health.