Temperatures to reach 36 degrees Celsius; heat to be most felt in these regions

Much of Poland is bracing for intense heat as temperatures are forecast to reach up to 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit) in certain regions. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has issued warnings across the country, indicating the severity of the ongoing heatwave.

High-level warnings, the highest degree of alert, have been issued for the Lublin and Świętokrzyskie voivodeships, along with parts of Lublin, Greater Poland, Lesser Poland, Lower Silesia, Podkarpacie, and Mazovia. Temperatures in these western areas under alert are expected to range from 31°C to 34°C, with the warning in effect until Friday evening. Eastern regions face temperatures from 31°C to 36°C, with the alert lasting until Saturday evening.

Further warnings, including those of the second degree, cover voivodeships such as Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Łódź, Opole, and Silesia, as well as southern parts of West Pomeranian, Pomeranian, Warmian-Masurian, Lower Silesian, Lesser Poland, and Podkarpacie voivodeships. Here, temperatures are predicted to reach between 33°C and 36°C on Friday.

In addition to the heat, thunderstorms are anticipated in several regions. First-degree alerts for storms have been issued for Podlaskie and large parts of Warmian-Masurian, Mazovian, and Lublin voivodeships. These storms may bring heavy rainfall, with accumulations of 10-15 mm and locally up to 30 mm during storms, along with wind gusts of up to 80 km/h and occasional hail. The weather is expected to be sunny with no precipitation in the south and southeast on Friday, while other areas will experience moderate to heavy cloud cover and scattered showers.