Poland’s meteorological service issued weather alerts for three provinces, prompting the Territorial Defense Forces to raise their readiness level in response to anticipated storms and flooding.
Severe Weather Warning Issued for Three Provinces
Weather alerts have been issued for the Wielkopolskie, Dolnośląskie, and Lubuskie provinces due to an approaching weather front bringing rain and thunderstorms. The Government Security Centre (RCB) sent alerts to residents in affected counties.
Territorial Defense Forces Mobilized
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that the Territorial Defense Forces (WOT) are on heightened alert to support public administration and emergency services in responding to potential weather-related impacts. The alert will remain in effect for 24 hours.
Emergency Services Coordination Meeting Held
On Sunday, a meeting was held with services and voivodes, led by Deputy Minister of Interior and Administration Wiesław Leśniakiewicz, and attended by representatives from the Police, State Fire Service, Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, and PGW “Wody Polskie.”
Specific WOT Brigades on Standby
Soldiers from the 12th Wielkopolskie, 15th Lubuskie, and 16th Dolnośląskie Brigades of the Territorial Defense Forces are in a 6-hour state of readiness to deploy to their units.
Government Assures Full Preparedness
The Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA) stated that its affiliated services are monitoring the weather situation and that all units are fully prepared. The State Fire Service is continuously monitoring the situation and will deploy additional firefighters to the most threatened regions if necessary.
IMGW Forecasts Active Weather Front
The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) reported that an active weather front bringing rain and localized thunderstorms is approaching Poland, initially affecting the western part of the country, including the Lubuskie and Dolnośląskie provinces. Meteorological warnings have been issued, with potential for intense rainfall and rapid rises in river levels.
Alert Levels and River Flood Warnings
The MSWiA issued second-degree (serious) warnings for the Wielkopolskie, Dolnośląskie, and Lubuskie provinces (valid until April 20, 3:00 PM). First-degree warnings were issued for the Zachodniopomorskie, Opolskie, Śląskie, and Łódzkie provinces (valid until April 20, 3:00 PM). Additionally, warnings regarding rapid water level increases in rivers have been issued for nine provinces.
RCB Issues Public Alert
The RCB issued an alert via platform X warning residents of the Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie, and Dolnośląskie provinces about intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential flooding. The alert urges people to avoid swollen rivers and follow instructions from emergency services.
Detailed Weather Forecast
Overnight, cloudy conditions are expected with some clearings in the northeast. Rainfall is anticipated, particularly in the south, west, and center, with accumulations of 10-25 mm, locally up to 35 mm. Isolated thunderstorms are possible initially in the west. Snowfall is expected in the high Tatras and Sudetes, with a predicted snow accumulation of around 12 cm in the Tatras.
Monday will see scattered clouds in the north and northeast, and generally cloudy conditions elsewhere, with clearing from the north later in the day. Rainfall is expected except in the northeast, with moderate showers in the center and south. Possible thunderstorms are forecast in the Fore-Sudetes. Snowfall is expected in the mountains, with a snow accumulation of around 5 cm in the Tatras.