Storm cloud above Cracow
World Youth Day is an event which in every edition attracts crowds of the faithful from all around the world. Many pilgrims also arrived to Poland. The greatest celebrations will occur in Cracow, Częstochowa and Oświęcim. In this case, it is worth to analyse possible weather scenarios, that can occur during the event.
Next few days will be hot, and locally violent thunderstorms would develop. It is worth to be familiar with thunderstorm safety rules.
Remember that forecast could be changed, especially forecast issued for the last days, mentioned in the article. We will inform you about important changes of forecast on our website, forum or our Facebook’s fanpage. You should also observe our weather warnings. During celebrations please follow any organiser recommendations. Please do not panic in an event of sudden weather change.
Forecasts for Cracow and nearby area:
Tuesday, July 26th
In southern Poland weather will be calm with small cloud cover. During the day locally cumuliforms would develop. Maximum temperatures will reach up to 28-31 Celsius degrees. Because of high temperatures it is recommended to have a headgear and bottled water mainly due to long remaining in the places of meeting. Showers and local thunderstorms could start to occur during midday and they may persist into the evening. Thunderstorms will be accompanied likely by excessive precipitation and small hail. During holy mass that will start the World Youth Day, thunderstorm will be also possible (5:00 PM). The development of storm cell exactly above Cracow has very small probability but it is still possible. Thunderstorms could also develop near Cracow before the holy mass, so cloud cover generated by the storm cell could decrease temperature, increasing thermal comfort of pilgrims thereby. Please remember that thunderstorm is local phenomenon.
In the rest of the country, thunderstorms are also expected. Temperature will locally exceed 30 Celsius degrees. Storms could cause local floods.
Wednesday, July 27th
Wednesday situation will be similar to that from Tuesday. Maximum temperature will reach up to 28-31 Celsius degrees. During midday and afternoon violent storms are possible. Storms will be accompanied likely by excessive precipitation and small hail. Thunderstorms may occur in Cracow.
Thursday, July 28th
Thursday will be continuation of hot and variable weather. Maximum temperature in southern Poland will reach up to 28-30 Celsius degrees. Violent thunderstorms will be possible all day long. Storms are possible both in Cracow and in Czestochowa. Large number of people is expected in both cities, so we hope storms will not occure there.
Friday, July 29th
Friday will be insignificantly colder. Maximum temperature will reach up to 27-30 Celsius degrees. Thunderstorms will be possible mainly during afternoon and evening.
Saturday, July 30th
Current forecasts are showing that Saturday will be much calmer and colder than previous days. Thunderstorms should not occur (they are not expected until Sunday, July 31st). The holy mass that will end World Youth Day should not be interferenced by the weather.
Minimum temperature during nights in period mentioned above should not fall below 15 Celsius degrees.
