Freezing weather disrupts life in Hungary, some schools even go online

Severe winter weather is set to disrupt daily life in western Hungary, as authorities warn of prolonged freezing rain and hazardous conditions across Zala County. In response to the expected extreme weather, courts will operate on a limited basis, while several educational institutions are switching to online teaching.

The government said the snow won’t interrupt road safety or railways in Hungary

According to the Zala County Disaster Management Directorate, Hungary’s meteorological service HungaroMet has issued a second-level weather alert for Friday due to the likelihood of freezing rain lasting several hours. Officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly by car, in affected areas.

The Zala County Territorial Defence Committee released a statement on Thursday emphasising that organisations involved in snow clearance and accident prevention are fully prepared to respond to the situation. Authorities said continuous cooperation is in place to reduce risks caused by icy roads and poor weather conditions, writes Telex.

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Residents have been advised to take extra precautions and to pay special attention to elderly people and those living alone, who may be particularly vulnerable during the cold spell.

As a direct consequence of the weather warning, the Zalaegerszeg Court announced that all courts in the county will operate only with a general on-call service on Friday and on Saturday, which is also a working day. All hearings scheduled for these days will be postponed and rescheduled for a later date.

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Schools going online for the time of the turmoil

Education has also been affected. The Nagykanizsa Vocational Training Centre confirmed that all its institutions will switch to online education on both Friday and Saturday. Students have been explicitly asked not to travel to school in order to avoid accidents caused by icy conditions.

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have not ruled out further measures if weather conditions deteriorate. Emergency services remain on standby, and residents are encouraged to follow official updates and safety advice throughout the weekend.

Meteorologists warn that freezing rain can be particularly dangerous, as it creates an invisible layer of ice on roads and pavements, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Officials stress that caution and preparation will be essential until conditions improve.

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Snow wonder, Hungary just had the coldest night this winter

Hungary has recorded its coldest night of the winter so far, with temperatures dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius in several regions, according to HungaroMet.

The lowest temperature was measured in Szécsény, Nógrád County, where thermometers fell to –25°C early on Friday morning. Other northern settlements also experienced extreme cold, including Mihálygerge at –23.9°C, Zabar at –23.5°C, and Lénárddaróc in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County at –23°C.

Meteorologists noted that clear skies, calm conditions and existing snow cover contributed to the sharp overnight cooling. Residents have been advised to take extra precautions, as freezing temperatures may persist during the night despite slightly milder daytime conditions.