IMGW issues first-degree thunderstorm and flood warnings for six Polish voivodeships on Thursday

The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) issued a series of first-degree warnings on Thursday, 4 June 2026, covering parts of six voivodeships. The alerts predict thunderstorms accompanied by intense rainfall, hail and strong wind gusts, with hydrological watches also in place for rapid water level rises.

Two regions under alert

The warnings split the country into two distinct danger zones. Southeastern Poland (eastern parts of Lubelskie and Podkarpackie) faces the highest rainfall totals, while the west (Zachodniopomorskie, Lubuskie, and parts of Dolnośląskie and Wielkopolskie) braces for damaging wind gusts.

In areas of forecast storm rainfall, rapid water level rises and local flooding may occur on smaller rivers and in urban catchments. In controlled catchments, particularly intense rainfall could lead to warning levels being briefly exceeded.

Southeast: heavy rain and hail

For Lubelskie and Podkarpackie, the storm warnings run from 12:00 to 21:00. Forecasters predict rainfall accumulations reaching 35 mm, wind gusts up to 60 km/h and localized hail. The probability of occurrence is estimated at 80%.

West: strong winds

In the western voivodeships, alerts begin later, at 17:00, and remain in effect until 22:00. The primary hazard is strong wind gusts of up to 80 km/h, with rain totals of up to 20 mm and possible hail. These first-degree alerts similarly carry an 80% probability.

Hydrological warnings

Separate first-degree hydrological warnings cover the eastern parts of Lubelskie and Podkarpackie until midnight. The IMGW notes that rapid water level increases and local submergence are possible in areas hit by intense storm rainfall, especially in smaller rivers and urbanized zones.

Timing and safety

1. Jun 4, 12:00 PMFirst-degree thunderstorm warnings begin in southeastern Poland (Lubelskie, Podkarpackie). Heavy rain up to 35 mm, wind gusts up to 60 km/h, hail expected.
2. Jun 4, 05:00 PMFirst-degree thunderstorm warnings begin in western Poland (Zachodniopomorskie, Lubuskie, parts of Dolnośląskie and Wielkopolskie). Strong wind gusts up to 80 km/h, rain up to 20 mm, hail possible.
3. Jun 4, 09:00 PMSoutheastern thunderstorm warnings expire.
4. Jun 4, 10:00 PMWestern thunderstorm warnings expire.
5. Jun 5, 12:00 AMHydrological warnings for Lubelskie and Podkarpackie expire. Risk of rapid water level rises and local flooding ends.

Residents are advised to secure loose objects, avoid parking under trees and exercise caution when travelling. While the warnings are the lowest in the three-tier scale, they signal conditions that can cause property damage and pose risks to health and life.