Between 12 and 14 May, folk tradition holds that the so-called “Ice Saints” — Pancras, Servatius and Boniface — preside over the nation’s weather. This year, the old adage has proved uncannily accurate. Several large regions woke to frost, while in some areas snow fell — not merely a dusting, but up to 2cm. Here is what lies ahead, and where rain is likely later this week.
Mid-May gripped by frost and snow
The folklore surrounding the Ice Saints is underpinned by sound meteorological reasoning. In mid-May, atmospheric pressure typically rises over northern and western Europe, while falling across the south and east. This imbalance can drive cold Arctic air southwards, pushing into low-pressure zones and bringing frost — and even snowfall — to the Carpathian Basin. Hungary is not alone in this; southern Germany has seen similar conditions.
At dawn today, temperatures in the western half of the country fell to between −1°C and −2°C, with even the higher elevations dipping below freezing. At Kékes, Hungary’s highest peak, around 2cm of snow was recorded. Those hoping for a late-season sledge run, however, had to rise early — the snow had melted by morning.
The east fared little better, with temperatures struggling to reach 7°C, while Budapest awoke to similarly brisk conditions.
Snow covered the highest peak of Hungary:
The cold record remains held by Zabar, where −4.1°C was recorded in 2020. Comparable chill is expected again on Thursday morning, with temperatures between 0°C and 8°C; frost cannot be ruled out in northern, frost-prone pockets.
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Rain to follow in week’s latter half
According to Időkép, a Mediterranean cyclone will shape Hungary’s weather in the latter part of the week. Following April’s historic drought, this system may finally bring meaningful rainfall. As the saying goes, “May rain is worth its weight in gold” in Hungary, playing a vital role in ensuring a good harvest.
Rain is expected to arrive from Thursday evening. By Friday, showers and thunderstorms will become more widespread, and over the weekend the cyclone itself is set to arrive, bringing sustained rainfall on both Saturday and Sunday. The system may linger into next week, continuing to trigger showers and storms across the country.
Rainfall totals could reach 20–30mm in many areas, with some regions seeing as much as 40–50mm.
Recent days have already been wet. In Letenye, 43mm of rain fell in a single day, with several other settlements in southern Transdanubia not far behind. Iklódbördőce recorded 39.3mm, while Nagykanizsa saw 36.3mm.
If you missed:
Danube and Tisza levels plummet perilously, lakes dry up – vast drought grips Hungary
Historic drought: Hungary’s beloved lakes at risk of drying up — could even the Tisza run dry?
