IMGW issues highest-level storm warnings for southern Poland, RCB sends emergency alerts
Poland's meteorological institute issued rare third-degree storm warnings for parts of Małopolska and Podkarpacie on Thursday, with rainfall reaching 80 mm and wind gusts up to 70 km/h. Emergency alerts were sent to residents across ten voivodeships.
Highest alert level in the south
Instytut Meteorologii i Gospodarki Wodnej (IMGW) issued third-degree storm warnings, the highest level, for parts of the Małopolska and Podkarpacie voivodeships early Thursday morning. These areas also face second-degree alerts for heavy rain with thunderstorms. Forecasts predict rainfall totals reaching 80 mm locally, accompanied by wind gusts up to 70 km/h. The third-degree warnings remain in effect until 8:00 on Thursday, while the second-degree rain alerts stay active until 10:00.
Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa (RCB) dispatched emergency text alerts to people in Małopolska and parts of Podkarpacie, warning of probable thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds.
During a storm, find safe shelter. Avoid open spaces.
Widespread first-degree warnings
First-degree warnings for intense rainfall cover ten voivodeships: Mazowieckie, Podlaskie, Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Małopolskie, Świętokrzyskie, and Warmińsko-Mazurskie, plus portions of Pomorskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, and Łódzkie. These areas can expect up to 40 mm of rain, with possible thunderstorms and wind gusts reaching 60 km/h. The alerts are scheduled to remain in force through Thursday afternoon.
Hydrological risks across the east
The heavy rainfall has triggered hydrological concerns. First-degree hydrological warnings for rapid water level rises are in effect across the eastern half of the country until 14:00 on Thursday, covering seven full voivodeships and parts of five others. In parts of Małopolska, second-degree hydrological alerts warn of water surges exceeding warning levels, with the Biały Dunajec river under particular scrutiny.
On the Biały Dunajec, rises above the warning threshold are forecast due to rainwater runoff. A short-term exceedance of the alarm level is possible.
Weather pattern driving the storms
A cold front moving across Poland is behind the unstable conditions. According to IMGW, the country sits in an area of elevated pressure, with an atmospheric front zone affecting the east as a wave moves north from the Hungary-Slovakia region toward Lithuania and Latvia. Warmer air mass lingering in the east is expected to be displaced by cooler air during the afternoon. Maximum temperatures on Thursday will range from 15°C to 20°C across most of the country, cooler in northern and foothill areas at 13°C to 15°C.
- Third-degree storm warnings expire for Małopolska and Podkarpacie
- Second-degree hydrological warnings for Biały Dunajec river expire
- Second-degree heavy rain warnings expire for Małopolska and Podkarpacie
- First-degree hydrological warnings expire across eastern Poland
- First-degree intense rainfall warnings expire across ten voivodeships
Overnight outlook
Conditions are expected to gradually improve. Thursday night into Friday will bring small to moderate cloud cover with occasional heavier patches. Scattered rain showers will fade, though local thunderstorms may persist initially in the west. Toward morning, scattered rain showers may return in eastern areas. Minimum temperatures will drop to between 6°C and 11°C, with rain mixed with snow possible high in the Tatra Mountains.
