Snowdrift warnings issued in several regions in Hungary: Avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary

Due to the risk of snowdrifts, HungaroMet Nonprofit Ltd issued a second-level (orange) weather warning on Sunday morning for several regions of Hungary.

In its alert, the organisation said that in the affected districts, strong winds could build up high snowdrifts in areas covered by fresh snow.

Snowdrift warnings in force in Hungary

The meteorological service has issued a second-level warning for Veszprém, Fejér, Pest and Komárom-Esztergom counties until midnight on Sunday due to the risk of snowdrifts.

A first-level (yellow) warning for minor snowdrifts is in force across the rest of Hungary, with the exception of Csongrád-Csanád, Békés, Hajdú-Bihar and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg counties, as winds may create smaller snowdrifts in areas with fresh snow cover.

According to the forecast, during the early hours and morning on Sunday, brisk to strong winds of 50–60 km/h — and even stronger in wind-exposed areas — may cause snowdrifts across large parts of Transdanubia, as well as in the Danube Bend and the Budapest area.

During the day on Sunday, brisk to strong, and at times gale-force, north-westerly gusts are expected to persist across wide areas, continuing to cause mostly minor snowdrifting. In the broader area of the Transdanubian Mountains and at higher elevations, stronger snowdrifts may also occur.

After sunset, wind speeds will gradually ease in Hungary; however, snow may still be blown around overnight into Monday.

• Hungarian town makes local bus services free due to severe winter weather

Do not hop in your car unless you really have to!

Speaking to MTI, Dániel Mukics, spokesperson for the National Directorate General for Disaster Management, urged people in the affected areas not to travel by car in the mentioned regions of Hungary, unless absolutely necessary. He advised anyone who does set off to check current meteorological warnings and up-to-date road conditions in advance.

He also warned that motorists should only travel in vehicles that are in proper technical condition and suitably prepared for winter weather, and should drive more slowly and cautiously. Snowdrifts can rapidly reduce visibility, while strong winds may lead to the formation of snowbanks.

• After Lake Balaton, the Danube is starting to freeze too: But stepping on the ice could be fatal!

Average temperature fell to –12°C at dawn

Although no new seasonal record was set, Saturday night was also bitterly cold: the national average temperature dropped to minus 12 degrees Celsius, HungaroMet reported on its Facebook page on Sunday.

According to an infographic accompanying the post, the lowest temperature on Sunday morning was recorded at the Szikszó waterworks meteorological station in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, where –20.8°C was measured.

Temperatures of –20.6°C were recorded in Edelény and Gagybátor in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, as well as in the northern part of Nyíregyháza and in Nyírtass in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County.

It was also noted that Zabar in Nógrád County — where national cold records are often registered — did not make it into the top ten coldest stations on this occasion.