Winter is coming back to Hungary this week with snow and gale-force winds: here’s our forecast

HungaroMet has warned of heavy precipitation on Thursday and Friday, with sleet and snow expected in the west alongside gale-force winds, in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Mediterranean cyclone with huge rains

The forecaster noted that a wavy front and a Mediterranean cyclone, dubbed Deborah by the Italians, will shape Hungary’s weather in the latter half of the week. Significant cooling is on the cards across much of the country, accompanied by prolonged rain, showers, and blustery winds, the Hungarian News Agency wrote.

The Mediterranean cyclone brings back winter to West Hungary:

Overnight into Thursday, rain and showers will spread from the west, with the precipitation zone pushing gradually eastwards by day; thunderstorms could even develop east of the Danube.

Wet, sticky snow expected

The sky will cloud over from the west, though the north-east and east may see some early sunshine. On the far side of the Danube, northerly winds will turn gusty, reaching 80-90kph in places, prompting a chill that begins in the west from morning, and the east later in the day. Come Thursday afternoon, sleet and then snow could replace rain in the Western Transdanubia, not just in the border hills and Bakony but on flatter ground too.

Friday will dawn heavily clouded or overcast, with rain and showers widespread save for the north-eastern counties; sleet and snow are likely in Western Transdanubia. By Friday evening, substantial snow cover could build in the hills, while depending on intensity, low-lying western areas might see temporary layers of several centimetres of wet, sticky snow.

Chances of snow displayed on the map of Időkép for Friday:

Precipitation will ease from Friday afternoon and evening, with rain returning in the west as temperatures rise.

Strong winds

The alert also highlights persistently strong, locally gale-force, northerly winds from Thursday, especially across the Transdanubia and north-east. The fiercest gusts could hit 80-90 km/h on Thursday and Friday, easing to 60-75 km/h over the weekend.

Maximum temperatures on Thursday will range from 5-12°C in the Transdanubia and 12-20°C east of the Danube; Friday brings 2-9°C in the south-west and 10-19°C elsewhere; Saturday’s peaks will lie between 8-17°C. Breezy nights rule out any frost.

If you missed our previous, weather-related articles:

• Powerful geomagnetic storm bathes Lake Balaton and Hungary in otherworldly glow – photos, video
• Let’s admire it together: Lake Balaton has frozen over for the first time in 9 years – VIDEO