Severe cold warnings issued nationwide as temperatures expected to plummet to record lows, with authorities warning against walking on frozen rivers.
IMGW Issues Severe Cold Warnings
The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management has issued warnings about severe cold. The alerts do not cover only the western part of the country. In the northeastern and eastern parts, second-level warnings are in effect. For other regions, first-level warnings have been issued.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Forecast
The low temperature will persist in the coming days. IMGW forecaster Michał Kowalczuk told Radio ZET that the night from February 1 to 2 is expected to be record-breaking. On the night from Sunday to Monday, we expect temperature drops to even -27 degrees in the northeast. Meanwhile, on the night from Monday to Tuesday, -25 degrees is possible almost across the entire eastern edge of Poland. On Wednesday, frost will still reach -23 degrees.
Gdańsk Residents Walk on Frozen Motława River
In Gdańsk, for several days, some residents and tourists have been walking on the frozen section of Motława. A resident of the city reported that on Sunday there are many people “with children, with dogs” on the ice. They are walking, skating, and even lying down. Some go from the Green Bridge all the way to the Maritime Museum, towards the footbridge to Ołowianka.
The police have intervened several times with people who entered the frozen river. Officers, among other things, informed these people that such behavior could pose a threat to life and health and took action to have those on the frozen river leave the area. The policewoman also appealed that people who want to skate should use only designated and secured ice rinks.
City Police Intervention Unsuccessful
For a while there was city police, they were saying something through a megaphone, but nothing could be heard and no one reacted, comments a Gdańsk resident. They could tape the stairs, from which people descend, because they are publicly accessible, she points out.
Tusk Shares Video of Frozen River
Prime Minister Donald Tusk published a short video from Gdańsk on X. “My beloved Gdańsk – the best place on Earth” – he wrote.