Wintertime in Poland: December – the month with the shortest day of the year in Poland, January – the coldest month, February – the least rainy month in Poland
In 2024, astronomical winter begins on December 21 with the winter solstice – the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in Poland all year. On a positive note, starting on December 21, the days in Poland will get longer and the nights shorter. The length of the day goes from 7 hours 42 min. on December 21 to 10 hours 50 min. at the end of February.
Winter in Poland is cold and usually snowy. To stay cozy in the cold weather in Poland, you will need a hat, coat, scarf, gloves, and winter boots. The lowest temperature is recorded in eastern and southern Poland. Remember that the temperature in the wintertime in Poland drops significantly at night.
The weather in Poland differs during the winter. Usually, the temperature is around freezing or a few degrees below, but it happens that the temperature drops below -20 °C (-4 °F). Recent years have seen an increase in average winter temperatures compared to previous years.
Weather in Poland in December
Because of Christmas (our post on Christmas traditions in Poland) and New Year’s Eve, December is a favorite month for many people in Poland. The name of the month – grudzień – comes from the Polish word gruda, meaning frozen ground. The average temperature in December in Poland drops below zero: -0,16°C / 32°F. The average rainfall level in December in Poland is 38 mm (similar to March and April). Sunset on December 1: 3.27 pm, December 31: 3.32 pm.
Weather in Poland in January
January is the coldest month in Poland. The average temperature in January in Poland is -1,5°C / 30,2°F. The average rainfall level in Poland in January is 37 mm. The Polish name for January – styczeń – comes from the word stykać, meaning connecting the old and new year. The day keeps getting longer – sunset on January 1: 3.33 pm, January 31: 4.20 pm.
Weather in Poland in February
The average temperature in February in Poland is still below 0 (-0,3°C / 32°F). February is the least rainy month in Poland. The average rainfall level in Poland in February is 31 mm. What does the word luty – February – mean in Polish? The word luty in the old Polish language meant fierce, very cold. Sunset on February 1: 4.21 pm, February 28: 5.14 pm.
Temperature and rainfall information source: Climate Change Knowledge Portal, sdwebx.worldbank.org.
Subscribe to our monthly English newsletters to explore Poland and learn about it. Once a month, you will receive a Newsletter in English: ‘Explore Poland with Kids‘. You will find there family-friendly destinations in Poland – beautiful places in Poland worth visiting with children – from city break destinations to hiking in the mountains (lots of practical tips!); things you can’t miss in Poland in a given month; dates to remember, holidays, observances in Poland in a given month so you can mark your calendars accordingly.