Poland issues heatwave alerts as temperatures approach 32‑40°C
The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has issued first‑degree heat warnings for large parts of Poland, covering whole voivodeships such as Łódź, Dolnośląskie, Opolskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie and substantial areas of Małopolskie, Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie, Mazowieckie, western Lublin, southern Kujawsko‑Pomorskie and north‑west Podkarpackie. The alerts, active from 12:00 to 19:00 on 26 July, predict maximum temperatures of 30‑32 °C in most regions, with some forecasts – especially from GFS and ECMWF models – indicating possible peaks near 40 °C in the western and central zones.
Separate first‑degree thunderstorm warnings have been posted for eight north‑west voivodeships (Warmian‑Masurian, Pomeranian, West Pomeranian, Lubuskie, Kuyavian‑Pomeranian, large parts of Wielkopolskie, north‑west Mazowieckie and western Podlasie). These storms may bring heavy rain up to 30 mm, gusts reaching 80‑85 km/h and locally hail.
Local authorities have taken specific measures: Kraków’s city administration temporarily closed the Main Market Square to horse‑drawn carriages from 11:00 to 18:00 on 26 July to protect people and animals from extreme heat. In Wielkopolska an alert for 31 counties forecasts temperatures of 30‑32 °C with a 90 % probability, while Podkarpackie’s alert for 11 counties expects around 30 °C and an 85 % probability. The combined heat and storm warnings affect millions of residents, prompting health advisories on hydration, limited outdoor activity, and protection for vulnerable groups.
Entities: Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) · Kraków city authorities · Podkarpackie region · Poland · Wielkopolska region
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Heat alerts remain in force until 19:00 on 26 July in the affected voivodeships. (IMGW)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Maximum temperatures of 30‑32 °C are expected across many regions, with some forecasts indicating peaks near 40 °C. (IMGW forecasts / weather models)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wielkopolska’s heat alert covers 31 counties, forecasts 30‑32 °C, and assigns a 90 % probability of occurrence. (IMGW)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kraków city authorities temporarily closed the Main Market Square to horse‑drawn carriages from 11:00 to 18:00 on 26 July due to high temperatures. (Kraków City Office)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] IMGW issued first‑degree thunderstorm warnings for eight north‑west voivodeships, with possible rain up to 30 mm and gusts up to 85 km/h. (IMGW)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] IMGW issued first‑degree heat warnings for 12 voivodeships covering large parts of central, western and southern Poland. (IMGW)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Storms associated with the thunderstorm warnings may bring gusts up to 85 km/h and isolated hail. (IMGW)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Podkarpackie’s alert for 11 counties predicts temperatures around 30 °C with an 85 % probability. (IMGW)