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 2025, 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 minutes on December 21 to 10 hours 50 minutes at the end of February.
Winter in Poland is cold and usually snowy. To stay cozy in Poland’s cold weather, 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 Poland drops significantly at night in winter.
The weather in Poland differs during the winter. Usually, the temperature is around freezing or a few degrees below, but it can drop to -20 °C (-4 °F). Recent years have seen higher average winter temperatures than in 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 Poles. 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 to connect 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.