Poland is often considered as a very cold country. Well, that is not entirely the truth. A warm jacket, a hat, and good boots, plus a good dose of hot chocolate (or wine) are enough to keep you warm throughout the season. And the best part is, there is snow in Poland. A lot of it!
In this article, I am going to tell you all about the winter, the snowfalls, and the best places to go when it snows.
When Does It Snow In Poland
When can you expect the first snowfall in Poland? Usually, it happens in the first days of December. But, if the temperature drops around freezing, it is not uncommon to have some snow in the middle of November. But this snow is typically ignored by locals, as this is not “the real snow”.
And when does it stop snowing? Well, there are typically episodes of snowfall even as late as in April.
Snow In December
The first snows don’t last long, sometimes just over the night, but often not even that. You can expect to see a thin layer of white coat, closer toward Christmas. It is a bit different up in the mountains, where the snowfalls are heavier and the land is well covered from the beginning of the month.
Snow In January
January is the month with the heaviest snowfall. There are times, when it snows so much, that the land is covered with as much as 20-30 cm (8-11 inches).
Snow In February
February is the third month of the long winter, land is frozen, days are short, and people are tired of the winter by this time. But the chances of heavy snowfalls are still very high, the schools have the midterm break, so mountains and skiing trails are very occupied.
Occasional Snowfall In Spring
Although March is a bit more gentle with the weather, it is still cold, and it is normal to see some snow, especially at the beginning of the month. As I mentioned earlier, the snow is no surprise even in April. Temperatures go very low, and it is normal to experience snowfalls locally.
Snowfalls And Day To Day Life In Poland
Although snowfalls and heavy winters are typical for Polish climate, I have never heard of schools being closed due to heavy snow, or low temperatures.
Locals function as usual, they go to schools, work, and practice their social life. In times of heavier waves of snowfalls, there are temporary road blockages, but they get clean efficiently and life goes on.
Snow In Different Regions Of Poland
It does not snow the same in all parts of Poland. Sometimes half of the country is covered with snow, and the rest of it doesn’t see the snow at all. Typically, the southern parts are in more chance to enjoy the snow, than the coastal regions.
North – Gdansk, Olsztyn
North of the country, the coastal area is usually a bit warmer during winter. The chances of snow are lower in Gdańsk than in any other part. The winter in general is less heavy there. But go a bit to the east, and you will see a totally different scenery. Poles call Mazury the North Pole of Poland, as this is the coldest part of the country.
Best Places To See
- Gdansk and Baltic see in winter.
- Park Słowiński in winter
- Mazury, the land of lakes
Central – Warsaw, Poznan, Lublin
A white winter and heavier snowfalls are more possible in the central parts of Poland. Although, it still fits within the average. These regions have beautiful landscapes with a long horizons. The views are absolutely amazing when the snow covers the land with a white blanket.
Warsaw offers interesting things to do, and many sports activities. So even if you are not admiring nature in the country, and spending time in the city, you will still get to feel the season in full.
Best Places To See
Warsaw
- Wilanow Park in Warsaw and the Winter Illuminations Festival
- The National Stadium for the winter sports activities
- Old Town Warsaw and the Christmas Market
Poznań
Lublin
- Old Town and Christmas Illumination
- Lublin Village Open Air Museum and the horse sleigh ride
South – Krakow, Wroclaw, Rzeszow
South of Poland is typically colder in winter, and there are more snowfalls. These parts of Poland are especially nice to visit during winter, as it offers a lot of winter attractions and activities. Sleigh ride with horses is something you could enjoy there.
Best Places To See
Krakow
Wroclaw
- Old Town and Christmas Markets
- Czocha castle
- Street Arts and monuments
- Karkonosze National Park – a day trip from Wroclaw
Rzeszow
- The Main Square
- Bieszczady Mountain – a day trip south from Rzeszow
- Lancut Castle
Snowfalls Up In The Mountains
Ahh, beautiful Tatra Mountains. The snow covers the mountain peaks, coming all the way to the valleys and coating with the white quilts the charming town-Zakopane.
Strolling through this place in winter is an incredible experience. Lots of people, live music, festive mood, folk, and culture are coming from every street and every corner. No wonder, Zakopane is called the winter capital of Poland.
For fans of snow sports, there are great skiing resorts in Zakopane and around.
- Szczyrk
- Białka Tatrzńska
- Zieleniec Ski Arena
- Jaworzyna Krynicka
- Kasrpowy Wierch
- Czarna Gora
These are just a few of the most popular resorts, there are many, many more in the mountains. Have in mind, that during winter breaks, these places are highly occupied, so it is best, to plan and book your trip in advance.
Winter Sport
Poland is among the 10 biggest countries in Europe, and it has a very diverse selection of activities to do in winter. Here is the list of the winter sports you can practice.
- skiing
- snowboarding
- skating
- sleigh sliding
- hockey
- ice climbing
- snow kiting
- winter swimming
- curling
Other Interesting Reads About Winter And Snow In Poland
Would you like to learn more about winter in Poland and interesting places to see? Here is the list of other articles in this blog about winter and snow in Poland.
- how to get ready for the winter in Poland?
- why visiting Gdańsk in winter is always a good idea?
- is it worth traveling to Warsaw in winter? Yes!
- the ultimate guide to winter in Zakopane
- Polish Christmas traditions: how to we celebrate Christmas in Poland?
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