Arctic frost grips Hungary: up to 30 cm of snow set to blanket regions amid very low temps!

Snow has arrived in Hungary again and will remain for almost the entire week, according to current weather forecasts. In the southern and southeastern regions, the depth of freshly fallen snow may reach 30 cm, which is unprecedented in recent years. Transport Minister János Lázár has promised that the country’s public transport system is prepared for the heavy snowfall.

Arctic frost, heavy snowfall, freezing rain and very low temperatures

According to Időkép, snow will arrive in Hungary in multiple waves. Heavy snowfalls are expected throughout the week, and the depth of the fresh layer may reach 20–30 cm in the southern and southeastern regions by Thursday. Meanwhile, temperatures may reach record lows, dropping below -20°C in some areas. The first wave has already arrived in the south: more than 10 cm could fall by Tuesday, growing to 30 cm by Thursday. Freezing rain is also expected in multiple regions during the week, along with snowstorms.

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Clouds and expected precipitation today:

What to expect during the week

Monday

Clouds will thicken even in the north during the morning, leaving skies overcast nationwide, with snow arriving from the south in many areas. A measurable layer will form across much of the country, while a thicker blanket develops mainly in the southern regions. Near the southeastern and eastern borders, expect mixed precipitation, including sleet. Northerly and north-easterly winds will pick up in places. Daytime highs will range from -3°C to +2°C, based on the Hungarian News Agency.

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The first wave has already arrived:

Tuesday

Skies stay mostly overcast, though temporary breaks and thinnings may appear in the cloud cover over the north-west and north. Precipitation comes in two waves: snow in the east until morning, plus sleet along the eastern border until dawn, followed by a brief pause before a new band sweeps in from the south-west, bringing snow to more areas from afternoon onwards.

Thicker cover could build in the south-east, while the north-west sees the lowest chance of falls. North-westerly and northerly winds turn brisk over the North Transdanubian region and north-east, with strong gusts in spots that might whip up blizzards in the Bakony hills. Overnight lows range from -6°C to 0°C, daytime highs from -4°C to +1°C.

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Wednesday

Again, mostly overcast skies prevail, with possible brief clearings or thinnings in the north-west and north. Snow is likely in many places, heaviest in the south-east and east according to current models, where significant fresh falls are on the cards. North-western and western areas might stay dry. Northerly winds remain brisk with strong gusts mainly over western Transdanubia and the north-east. Overnight temperatures fall between -7°C and -2°C, daytime highs between -5°C and 0°C.

Thursday

Clouds thin and the sun breaks through from the west across larger areas, while snow finally clears everywhere in the east. North-westerly and northerly winds stay brisk with strong gusts, stirring blizzards on snow-covered ground. Overnight lows generally hit -9°C to -3°C, but western spots with less cloud and thick snow could plunge several degrees colder. Daytime highs range from -4°C to +3°C, mildest in the north-west.

Friday

Clouds build and thicken from the west and north-west, leaving chances of sunshine in the south and east. Light precipitation may pop up in northern counties, starting as snow before turning to mixed forms from the west and south-west—possibly sleet, then rain. South-westerly and southerly winds freshen in several places, with strong gusts here and there. Nights turn bitterly cold, with lows from -19°C to -3°C—higher in cloudier north-western areas, coldest where thick snow lingers. Afternoon temperatures range from -7°C to +4°C, milder in the west and chillier in the north-east.

Saturday

Expect generally heavy cloud or overcast conditions with precipitation widespread; it shifts in the north-east to mixed forms—sleet or even rain—towards the south and south-west. Winds veer north-westerly to westerly and strengthen, with gale-force gusts not out of the question. Overnight from -7°C to +2°C, daytime between -3°C and +3°C.

Sunday

Variable cloud with some sunshine breaks, and little chance of precipitation. North-westerly to westerly winds bring strong gusts widely, sometimes gale-force, before swinging south-westerly to southerly and easing. Overnight -11°C to +1°C, daytime -4°C to +2°C.

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