From midnight on Friday, 21 November, a low‑pressure system unleashed a powerful blizzard across Poland, producing up to 50 cm of snow in some regions and causing major traffic disruptions.
Snow Since Midnight
In the midnight hours of Friday, 21 November, a Genoan low‑pressure system arrived over Poland, dumping intense snowfall. The hardest hit were Lesser Poland and Podkarpacie, where blizzard conditions persisted for hours.
Within a few hours, several centimetres of white fluff had accumulated in different areas, and heavy falls also reached the south of Lublin, Upper Silesia, and Świętokrzyskie. Pomerania saw isolated precipitation, but not from the same system.
Radar shows continuous snow interspersed locally with sleet or rain. Road closures and rapidly worsening conditions are already reported, with drivers sounding the alarm.
More Blizzards Expected
Synoptic forecasters warn that Friday’s blizzard is only the beginning. Overnight from Friday to Saturday another intense snow zone is predicted to move into southeastern Poland.
Until sunset Saturday, a brief pause in snowfall may occur, but the precipitation is slated to return on the night between Saturday and Sunday, expanding across Lublin, Masovia, and Podlasie by Sunday.
Half a Meter Forecast by End of Week
Official projections are clear: the south will see the highest accumulation. By Sunday evening (23 November) Lesser Poland and Podkarpacie could be covered by 20–30 cm of snow, with local columns reaching about 50 cm.
Lublin and Świętokrzyskie are expected to receive 10–15 cm, while Silesia, Masovia, and Podlaskie should see only a few centimetres of additional snow.
Elsewhere, precipitation will be sporadic, with Pomerania possibly experiencing rain, sleet, or light snow that will whiten landscapes briefly.
Temperatures Remain Freezing
Despite the snow, temperatures stay low. By the end of the week, maximum temperatures will not exceed 0–3 °C. A slight frost will persist into Sunday night in eastern and southern regions, with nighttime lows possibly falling significantly below zero.
Avalanche Risk in Tatra Mountains
Such weather conditions are dangerous for mountain travel. In Zakopane, 20 cm of snow had already fallen by Friday morning, with even higher accumulations on the peaks.
The Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service has raised the avalanche danger level to the second tier. Rescuers note that severe conditions persist and forecasts do not predict improvement, though a spontaneous avalanche is unlikely unless an intense additional load occurs.
They advise against venturing into high mountain areas, especially for inexperienced climbers. “Movement requires assessing local avalanche danger, selecting an appropriate route, and adhering to basic safety measures on steep slopes,” the organization states.
