Poland’s IMGW has issued a Level 2 meteorological warning for Warsaw and Mazovia due to freezing rain and black ice from February 5-6.
Warning Details
On Thursday, February 5, IMGW (Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management) issued a Level 2 meteorological warning for freezing rain in Warsaw and parts of the Mazovia region, which may cause black ice. The warning is in effect from February 5, 11:30 to February 6, 11:00, with an 80% probability of the phenomenon.
What is Level 2?
The Level 2 warning is denoted by the color orange and is higher than Level 1 (yellow). According to IMGW, the warning may be continued beyond the initial period.
Affected Areas
The warning applies to Warsaw and specified districts of the Mazovia region. The freezing rain is expected to move from south to north, with the most intense precipitation occurring on Thursday, February 5.
Freezing Rain Phenomenon
IMGW warns that rain or drizzle may freeze due to sub-zero temperatures of both air and ground surfaces, creating black ice. This phenomenon may appear both during the day and night on February 5, and may also occur on February 6.
Impact of Black Ice
Black ice forms when rain or drizzle freezes on a cooled surface. In practice, this means rapid formation of an ice layer on roads, sidewalks, stairs, and other surfaces, which increases the risk of slipping and causes traffic difficulties.
