Poland issues weather alerts across multiple regions for wind gusts up to 115 km/h and heavy rainfall

Severe storm warnings for western Poland

The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management issued second-degree weather warnings across western and south-western Poland for the night of 19 to 20 August. The alert covers most of the Lower Silesian voivodeship, southern parts of Lubusz and Greater Poland, and Namysłów County in Opole voivodeship. Meteorologists forecast storms accompanied by intense precipitation between 35 and 55 mm, along with wind gusts ranging from 85 to 115 km/h. In Lower Silesia, the alert excludes four south-eastern counties (Kłodzko, Ząbkowice, Dzierżoniów, and Strzelin), where storm conditions are expected to arrive later. Fast-moving cloud formations are projected to travel across the country at speeds of around 60 km/h.

Meteorologist Przemysław Makarewicz outlined the broader atmospheric developments affecting the western regions:

The next two days will be cloudy, with storms occurring in the south and west of the country.

Civil defense alerts and central warnings

The Government Centre for Security dispatched emergency mobile alerts to residents across four affected voivodeships, urging the public to take precautions against incoming squalls and downpours. The notifications warn of potential structural hazards and advise residents on emergency conduct:

Possible power outages. Avoid open spaces.

Alongside the second-degree warnings, the meteorological institute designated lower, first-degree warnings for central and eastern regions. These alerts encompass most of the Łódź voivodeship, southern Mazovia, northern Lublin, and the northern peripheries of Opole, Silesia, and Świętokrzyskie. In these territories, precipitation is projected to reach 35 mm with localized wind gusts of up to 85 km/h. The first-degree warnings take effect from 02:00 on Thursday and remain active until 11:00 on the same day.

Hydrological threats along Lower Silesian rivers

Intense localized rainfall prompted the meteorological agency to issue first-degree hydrological warnings across Lower Silesia, valid from 23:00 on Wednesday until 12:00 on Thursday. Rapid surface runoff is expected to cause sharp water level rises in river catchments throughout the region. Specific flood monitoring focuses on the upper Lusatian Neisse near Sieniawka, the Kaczawa basin near Świerzawa, and the Barycz catchment around Odolanów, where warning thresholds may be crossed. On the Pełcznica River in Świebodzice, water levels are forecast to exceed the official alarm threshold.

Heat alerts and extended outlook

While storm fronts move through western and central corridors, south-eastern Poland faces high temperatures. First-degree heat warnings remain in force until 18:00 on Thursday for most of Małopolska, Subcarpathia, and southern Świętokrzyskie, where maximum temperatures will reach approximately 30°C. Thursday afternoon is expected to bring a renewed wave of localized storms in the southern regions of the country.

Makarewicz commented on the potential intensity of Thursday's afternoon convective activity:

They may be quite severe in places and locally accompanied by hail.

A shallow low-pressure system named Olivia, developing along a frontal wave, is forecast to pass over south-eastern Poland on Thursday night into Friday, bringing further heavy rainfall and electrical activity. Unsettled conditions will persist into the weekend, with maximum temperatures ranging between 21°C and 26°C across the country on Saturday and Sunday.