A potent clash of Balkan low-pressure air and Arctic cold swept across Poland overnight, dumping 15–20 cm of snow in the central belt and more than 40 cm in the southern Carpathians. The weather front, which peaked in the early hours of 28 November, triggered 2,900 firefighter call-outs and cut electricity to 75,000 households in the Rzeszów area.
Road mobility was the first casualty. The General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) deployed 1,200 ploughs, yet black ice forced rolling lane closures on the S2 expressway near Warsaw and speed reductions on the A4 Katowice–Kraków corridor. Regional rail operator PolRegio reported delays of up to 60 minutes as points heaters failed near Piotrków Trybunalski.
![Blizzard Paralyzes Central Poland: 75,000 Homes Without Power and Widespread Transport Disruptions]()
Aviation felt the knock-on effect. Warsaw-Chopin’s de-icing queues reached 45 minutes at the morning peak; two LOT Polish Airlines departures to Frankfurt and Copenhagen missed their slots, forcing passengers to rebook onward connections. Further north, Gdańsk Airport temporarily suspended arrivals during an intense snow burst, diverting two flights to Poznań.
For employers moving staff between Polish manufacturing hubs, the storm underscores the value of flexible “bleisure” itineraries and remote-work contingencies. Travel-risk advisers recommend padding ground-transfer schedules by at least two hours through the weekend and checking rail substitution buses before booking. Insurers remind corporates that winter weather is considered a “known risk”, so disruption coverage hinges on proactive trip-planning and documented mitigation steps.
Meteorologists predict another, weaker snow band on 29 November, but with temperatures staying below freezing, existing accumulations will continue to hamper mobility. Companies should circulate winter-driving guidance, verify that assignees have cold-weather gear, and monitor further GDDKiA alerts.
Road mobility was the first casualty. The General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) deployed 1,200 ploughs, yet black ice forced rolling lane closures on the S2 expressway near Warsaw and speed reductions on the A4 Katowice–Kraków corridor. Regional rail operator PolRegio reported delays of up to 60 minutes as points heaters failed near Piotrków Trybunalski.
Aviation felt the knock-on effect. Warsaw-Chopin’s de-icing queues reached 45 minutes at the morning peak; two LOT Polish Airlines departures to Frankfurt and Copenhagen missed their slots, forcing passengers to rebook onward connections. Further north, Gdańsk Airport temporarily suspended arrivals during an intense snow burst, diverting two flights to Poznań.
For employers moving staff between Polish manufacturing hubs, the storm underscores the value of flexible “bleisure” itineraries and remote-work contingencies. Travel-risk advisers recommend padding ground-transfer schedules by at least two hours through the weekend and checking rail substitution buses before booking. Insurers remind corporates that winter weather is considered a “known risk”, so disruption coverage hinges on proactive trip-planning and documented mitigation steps.
Meteorologists predict another, weaker snow band on 29 November, but with temperatures staying below freezing, existing accumulations will continue to hamper mobility. Companies should circulate winter-driving guidance, verify that assignees have cold-weather gear, and monitor further GDDKiA alerts.
