Temperatures in Poland’s Tatra Mountains reached a record-breaking low on Sunday night, plunging to a bone-biting -41.13°C.
The extreme cold was recorded in Litworowy Kocioł, a glacial valley in the Western Tatra Mountains, located 1,800 meters above sea level.
The valley, known for acting as a natural cold trap, saw the freezing temperatures as heavy, chilled air settled between mountain ridges.
The record low was reported by researchers from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, as freezing February weather sweeps across Poland.
The country’s meteorological institute (IMGW) has issued cold weather warnings for several regions.
Dr. Bartosz Czernecki from UAM explained that while the temperature is extreme, it does not contradict broader climate warming trends.
“The climate is definitely warming,” he said, adding that improved understanding of cold-air pools explains the recent discovery of such low temperatures.
While another record-breaking temperature is possible, Dr. Czernecki noted it would likely not occur this winter season.
According to IMGW, cold temperatures are expected to persist throughout the week, particularly in southern Poland.
The previous cold record in Poland was -40.6°C, recorded in Żywiec, southern Poland, on February 10, 1929.
The valley, known for acting as a natural cold trap, saw the freezing temperatures as heavy, chilled air settled between mountain ridges.
The record low was reported by researchers from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, as freezing February weather sweeps across Poland.
The country’s meteorological institute (IMGW) has issued cold weather warnings for several regions.
Dr. Bartosz Czernecki from UAM explained that while the temperature is extreme, it does not contradict broader climate warming trends.
“The climate is definitely warming,” he said, adding that improved understanding of cold-air pools explains the recent discovery of such low temperatures.
While another record-breaking temperature is possible, Dr. Czernecki noted it would likely not occur this winter season.
According to IMGW, cold temperatures are expected to persist throughout the week, particularly in southern Poland.
The previous cold record in Poland was -40.6°C, recorded in Żywiec, southern Poland, on February 10, 1929.
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