Hungary is set for a sharp drop in temperatures as an unusually early breakdown of the polar vortex is expected to bring colder air from the north. Daytime temperatures could fall below 10°C in many areas from early next week, while the highest parts of the Northern Hungarian Mountains could see the season’s first snow if precipitation arrives.
Polar vortex breakdown to bring colder air
The change is linked to the polar vortex, which began weakening on Monday and is currently expected to break down completely around 3–4 November. According to a report by Hungarian news outlet 24.hu, meteorologist László Molnár said the disruption would replace the milder westerly airflow with a much colder northerly current.
The effects are expected to become noticeable from Thursday, 29 October. A large area of high pressure is forecast to develop over northern Europe, stretching from the British Isles towards central Russia and drawing increasingly cold air into Hungary from the north and north-east.
The polar vortex breakdown is unusually early this year and is expected to happen rapidly. Last year, a similar event occurred on 27 November, which was already considered exceptionally early.
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Temperatures could fall below 10°C
For the next few days, Hungary is expected to experience relatively calm autumn weather, with daytime highs generally between 12°C and 17°C. Light rain may occur in some places.
However, conditions are forecast to turn significantly colder from the beginning of next week. Daytime temperatures could remain below 10°C across large parts of the country, with values more typical of late November than early autumn.
The shift would offer an early taste of winter, although the exact local temperatures will depend on how the weather system develops.
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Where could Hungary see its first snow?
Snow is possible in the higher elevations of the eastern part of the Northern Hungarian Mountains if precipitation develops. However, the forecast remains uncertain, and it is not yet clear whether rain or snow will fall, or exactly where precipitation will occur.
Snowfall is not expected on the plains, according to Molnár’s assessment reported by 24.hu. The possibility of snow is therefore limited to higher ground rather than Hungary’s lowland areas.
The northerly to north-easterly airflow is expected to persist for some time, although the longer-term forecast remains uncertain.
For now, the main change to prepare for is the sharp drop in temperatures from early next week. Whether the cold spell will bring the first snow to Hungary will depend on the arrival and location of precipitation.
