Poland is a country located in Central Europe famous for having the only desert in Central Europe. It extends from the shores of the Baltic Sea in the north to the Carpathian Mountains in the south and covers an area of 312,696 square kilometers. It shares borders Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Germany. Poland is the fifth most populous nation in Europe, with 38.5 million people. So, does it snow in Poland?
Poland’s climate is predominantly temperate, though some parts in northern parts of the country experience oceanic climate while the conditions turn continental towards the south-east. Winters in Poland are cold and long. During this period, snow is recorded in the mountainous regions of the country.
When does it Snow in Poland?
Snow in Poland falls between December through April in the mountainous areas of southern Poland.
Here is a breakdown of the snowy months in Poland.
Snow in December
December is the first month of winter in Poland. Temperatures are generally chilly throughout the country. Zakopane records an average low temperature of 22.3 degrees Fahrenheit (-5.4 degrees Celsius), while Krakow is 25.5 degrees Fahrenheit (-3.6 degrees Celsius).
In Zakopane, snow falls for 12.9 days and accumulates up to depths of 13.78 inches (350 millimeters).
Snow in January
January is another chilly month in Poland. Temperatures range from lows of 18.7 degrees Fahrenheit (-7.4 degrees Celsius) to highs of 29.5 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.4 degrees Celsius) in Zakopane. Krakow on the other hand records average lows of 23.2 degrees Fahrenheit (-4.9 degrees Celsius).
Zakopane sees snow for 13.3 days and the snow collects to depths of 8.82 inches (224 millimeters).
Snow in February
As winter draws to a close in Poland, temperatures in Zakopane are still in the subzero range. The temperature ranges from lows of 19.8 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.8 degrees Celsius) and 31.5 degrees Fahrenheit (-0.3 degrees Celsius).
Snow is experienced for 14 snowfall days and up to 1.54 inches (39 millimeters) of snow is accumulated.
Snow in March
March is the last month of winter in Zakopane, which records average temperatures ranging between 26.1 degrees Fahrenheit (-3.3 degrees Celsius) and 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3.9 degrees Celsius).
Snow falls for 12 days and collects to depths of 7.72 inches (196 millimeters).
Where does it Snow in Poland?
Snow falls predominantly in the highlands of southern Poland. Cities such as Zakopane are covered with snow for about nine months throughout the year.
Here is a look into the regions that experience significant snowfall in Poland.
Snow in Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It is also the largest city in the country, with a population of 3.1 million people within the metropolitan area, covering an area of 6,100.43 square kilometers. It is located at an elevation of 330 feet (100 meters) above sea level, and the highest point lies at 452.8 feet (138 meters) while the lowest point is at 248 feet (75.6 meters).
Warsaw experiences an oceanic climate where winters are cold and overcast. Snow graces Warsaw from December to mid-March, but it doesn’t accumulate to great depths.
The coldest month in Warsaw is January, with an average low temperature of 23.4 degrees Fahrenheit (-4.8 degrees Celsius) being recorded.
Throughout the year, Warsaw records 20.93 inches (531.5 millimeters) of precipitation.
Snow in Zakopane
Zakopane is a town in southern Poland at the foot of the Tatra Mountains that lies at an altitude ranging between 800 to 1000 meters above sea level.
The coldest month in Zakopane is January, with an average low temperature of 18.7 degrees Fahrenheit (-7.4 degrees Celsius).
Zakopane sees 68.3 snowfall days and accumulates up to 53.15 inches (1350 millimeters) of snow throughout the year.
Snow in Gdansk
Gdansk is located in northern Poland at an altitude of 590 feet (180 meters) above sea level. It covers an area of 262 square kilometers and has a population of 470,907 people.
Gdansk experiences both oceanic and continental climates with cold and cloudy winters.
The coldest month is January, with an average low temperature of 27.7 degrees Fahrenheit (-2.4 degrees Celsius).
The snowiest month in Gdansk is also January, with 16.2 snowfall days and accumulates up to 5.04 inches (128 millimeters) of snow. Gdansk sees snowfall for 58 days throughout the year and aggregates up to 17.2 inches (437 millimeters) of snow.
Ski Resorts in Poland
Poland has a buzzing ski scene and is one of the most famous European ski locations as it is relatively cheaper. The ski resorts in Poland are primarily located in Szklarska, Poreba, Karpacz, and Zakopane areas. The best snow conditions in these areas are found between January and late April.
Szczyrk Ski Resort
This ski resort is located in the Silesian province of Poland between elevations of 524 and 1257 meters above sea level. It is one of the largest ski resorts in Poland and has 36.6 kilometers available for skiing and snowboarding.
The slopes cater to all difficulty levels, with 22.4 kilometers assigned to beginner difficulty level, 9.8 kilometers for Intermediate, and 4.4 kilometers for expert skiers.
The resort operates from early December to early April.
Ski Resort Bialka Tatrzanska – Kotelnica
This is a ski resort located 680 and 910 meters above sea level and consists of three alternatives: Kotelnica, Kaniokwa, and Bania. It has 18.3 kilometers of slope available for skiing and snowboarding.
This resort primarily offers easy slopes, with 14.4 kilometers of the slope being used for beginner-level difficulty and the remaining 3.9 kilometers for intermediate-level skiers.
The resort is served by 19 ski lifts which transport guest and can carry a maximum of 28820 passengers per hour through 11.2 kilometers lift length.
The resort operates between December to early April.
Zieleniec Ski Resort
This is a ski resort located in Silesian province between elevations of 811 meters and 1025 meters above sea level. It has 21 kilometers of slope available for skiing and snowboarding.
The resort is served by 28 ski lifts.
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