Thousands of residents are without electricity as snow-laden trees and downed power lines cut off supply, authorities reported.
In the southeastern Podkarpackie region, light to moderate snowfall has persisted since Friday afternoon, with forecasts predicting snow accumulation of 25 to 30 centimeters.
Firefighters have received nearly 800 emergency calls in the past 12 hours, clearing fallen trees and branches from roads, sidewalks, and power lines.
Approximately 75,000 households remain without power, according to the Provincial Crisis Management Center in the southeastern city of Rzeszów.
The first snows of winter have also fallen in the south, prompting avalanche warnings in the Tatra Mountains and causing chaos on the roads. Temperatures in the mountain resort of Zakopane fell to –8.5°C,
Drivers are contending with icy conditions despite more than a hundred winter maintenance units working to keep national and regional roads passable.
Heavy snowfall in Przemyśl, southeastern Poland.
Forecasters warn that conditions are likely to deteriorate further. Additional snow and freezing rain are expected over the weekend, with almost nationwide snowfall forecast for Sunday, potentially adding another 15 centimeters of snow.
The extreme cold is part of a larger Arctic cold snap sweeping across Europe. Across the Alps, temperatures have plummeted to –20°C, with meteorologists attributing the sudden freeze to a surge of Arctic air moving south.
Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution, prepare for potential power outages, and limit travel where possible as Poland faces its first major winter storm of the season.
(mo)
Source: PAP