Thunderstorms, hail, and 110 km/h winds threaten Poland as 37°C heat bakes the southeast

Poland will face a day of extreme weather contrasts on Saturday, August 1, 2026. A collision of tropical and polar maritime air masses will trigger dangerous thunderstorms, large hail, and torrential rain across most of the country, while a heatwave bakes the southeast. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has issued a complex of warnings that cover almost the entire territory, leaving only the far southeast and northwestern fringes free of storm alerts.

Thunderstorm warnings blanket the country

Level 1 thunderstorm warnings are in effect for Pomerania, parts of Wielkopolska, and Lower Silesia. In those regions, storms will bring 20 to 35 mm of rain and wind gusts reaching 85 km/h. Local hail is also expected. The probability of these phenomena is 70 percent.

A much more dangerous situation is forecast for a broad belt running from Warmia-Masuria through Mazovia and Łódź down to Opole and parts of Lesser Poland and Lublin. Level 2 warnings cover these voivodeships, where rainfall totals will climb to 25–40 mm, and locally as high as 50 mm. Wind gusts will hit 95 km/h, with isolated bursts of up to 110 km/h. Hail is likely. These warnings will remain active through the night from Saturday to Sunday.

“Thunderstorms are forecast, accompanied locally by very heavy rainfall of 25 mm to 40 mm, locally around 50 mm, and wind gusts up to 95 km/h, with possible point gusts of up to 110 km/h. Locally hail.”

In Poznań and surrounding counties, the Level 2 alert runs from 13:00 to 22:00, while Level 1 alerts in northern districts are timed from 10:00 to 19:00.

Heatwave grips the southeast

Parallel to the stormy front, a mass of hot tropical air keeps the southeast under extreme heat. The highest, Level 3 heat warnings, have been issued for Lublin and Świętokrzyskie voivodeships, as well as parts of Mazovia, Podkarpacie, and Lesser Poland. Temperatures on Saturday will climb to 35°C in Rzeszów, 34°C in Kraków, and up to 37°C in the hottest spots. Overnight minima will stay as high as 18–20°C, offering little relief. These alerts are expected to stay in force through Wednesday, August 5.

Level 2 heat warnings cover further areas, including Silesia, Opole, and the northern edges of Lesser Poland and Podkarpacie, where maximum temperatures of 31–33°C are forecast. On the Baltic coast, a markedly cooler polar maritime airflow will keep the mercury near 20°C, while the north sees about 24°C and the centre around 30°C.

Level 1 – max wind (km/h)85

Level 2 – max wind (km/h)95

Level 1 – max rain (mm)35

Level 2 – max rain (mm)50

Level 1 – max wind (km/h)

85

Level 2 – max wind (km/h)

95

Level 1 – max rain (mm)

35

Level 2 – max rain (mm)

50

Data from the article text

Dynamic situation and safety advice

IMGW describes the conditions as dynamic and urges the public to monitor updates throughout the day. Services recommend securing loose objects on balconies and in gardens, staying away from trees during storms, and drinking plenty of water in the heat-affected areas.

“The situation is dynamic – it is worth following warning updates on an ongoing basis.”

Calmer Sunday ahead

During the night, cloud cover will gradually clear from the west. In the west and northwest conditions will become quieter, though scattered showers and thunderstorms may persist elsewhere. Winds that were strong during the storms will ease as the hours pass.

Sunday will bring an improvement across most of the country. Some precipitation will remain in the south and southeast, and storms cannot be ruled out in submontane areas. The cooler air from the west will spread, ending the spell of extreme heat for much of Poland.