Polish authorities issued second-degree alerts for heavy rainfall and potential flooding across several voivodeships, placing Territorial Defense Forces on heightened readiness.
National Emergency Services Convene
On Sunday, April 19th, a meeting was held with the participation of services, voivodes, and leadership from the Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA) and the Government Security Centre (RCB). The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister MSWiA Wiesław Leśniakiewicz, and included voivodes from Dolnośląskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Opolskie, Śląskie, Wielkopolskie, and Zachodniopomorskie, as well as representatives from the Police, State Fire Service, Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, and PGW “Wody Polskie.”
Kosiniak-Kamysz Announces Increased Readiness
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on X that, due to the challenging weather situation and anticipated heavy rainfall, the Territorial Defense Forces (WOT) are on heightened alert to support public administration and emergency services in responding to potential weather-related impacts. The WOT alert will be in effect for 24 hours.
Kosiniak-Kamysz added that soldiers from the 12th Wielkopolska Brigade, 15th Lubuska Brigade, and 16th Dolnośląska Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces are on six-hour notice to report to their units.
RCB Issues Alerts
The MSWiA previously stated in a communication that its affiliated services are monitoring the weather situation, emphasizing that all units remain fully prepared. The State Fire Service is continuously monitoring the situation and will immediately deploy additional firefighters to the most threatened regions if necessary.
Weather Front Brings Heavy Rain
According to the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), an active atmospheric front is approaching Poland, bringing rainfall and localized thunderstorms. The front will initially affect the western part of the country, including the Lubuskie and Dolnośląskie voivodeships. The RCB indicated that localized intense rainfall and rapid increases in river levels are possible.
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Alert Levels Issued
Second-degree (serious) warnings have been issued for the Wielkopolskie, Dolnośląskie, and Lubuskie voivodeships (valid until April 20th, 3:00 PM). The Zachodniopomorskie, Opolskie, Śląskie, and Łódzkie voivodeships received first-degree warnings (valid during the same period).
Flood Warnings in Effect
Flood warnings have been issued for nine voivodeships: Zachodniopomorskie, Pomorskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie, Dolnośląskie, Opolskie, Śląskie, and Łódzkie. These alerts are valid until the morning of April 21st.
RCB Sends Targeted Alerts
The RCB sent alerts warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential flooding to residents of the Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie, and Dolnośląskie voivodeships. The alert was sent to all counties in the Lubuskie voivodeship and to the following counties in other voivodeships: Bolesławiec, Głogów, Górowo Śląskie, Jawor, Jelenia Góra, Kamienna Góra, Karkonosze, Kłodzko, Legnica, Legnickie, Luban, Lubin, Lwówek Śląski, Polkowice, Świdnica, Wałbrzych, Wałbrzyskie, Zgorzelec, and Złotoryja.
Weather Forecast: Night and Monday
Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the south, west, and central parts of the country overnight. Localized thunderstorms may occur in the west, and snowfall is possible at higher elevations in the Tatras and Sudetes mountains. Minimum temperatures will range from 1°C in the northeast to approximately 6°C in the center and west, and up to 9°C in the southeast. Winds will be weak to moderate, strengthening to gusts of up to 55 km/h near the coast. During thunderstorms, winds will be gusty, with potential gusts of up to 75 km/h in the Sudetes mountains.
On Monday, April 20th, cloud cover will be present throughout the country, with small to moderate cloud cover in the north and northeast, and extensive cloud cover elsewhere. Clearer skies are expected to develop from the north towards the end of the day. Rainfall will be moderate, except in the northeast, center, and south of the country. Thunderstorms are possible in the Foothills of the Sudetes. Snowfall is expected at higher elevations in the mountains. Maximum temperatures will range from 7°C to 11°C. Winds will generally be moderate, locally gusty, with stronger gusts of up to 55 km/h near the coast. During thunderstorms and in the Sudetes mountains, winds will be gusty.