Hungary’s weather is about to change several times within just over a week. A cold front crossing the country on Saturday will bring a temporary drop in temperatures for Sunday, before summer heat quickly returns. From the middle of next week, however, a much more significant change could arrive, bringing substantial rainfall and eventually genuinely autumnal temperatures.
A cold front is moving across Hungary from the north and north-west on Saturday, 5 September. Despite increasing cloud cover, significant widespread rainfall is not expected, although scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop.
HungaroMet has warned of possible thunderstorms in several counties, particularly in the north-east and south, with storms also possible in the south-west later in the day. Wind gusts of 60–70 km/h, locally exceeding 70 km/h, may accompany stronger storms, and isolated hail cannot be ruled out. Temperatures will nevertheless remain summery, with afternoon highs between 25 and 34°C.
Sunday: Cooler, sunny and mostly dry
The cold front will be more noticeable on Sunday, 6 September, when temperatures fall by several degrees.
Mostly clear or lightly cloudy weather is expected across Hungary, with no significant precipitation. More cumulus clouds may develop in the north-east, while north-westerly and northerly winds could occasionally strengthen.
Morning temperatures will generally range between 10 and 18°C, although sheltered areas could fall slightly below 10°C. Afternoon highs are forecast between 24 and 29°C.
The cooler weather will not last long, however. Temperatures will begin rising again almost immediately as Hungary heads into another short spell of late-summer heat.
Hungary weather next week: Day-by-day forecast
Monday, 7 September: Summer returns
Temperatures will begin climbing again on Monday, with mostly dry and warm conditions expected. Forecasts currently indicate afternoon highs of roughly 27–32°C, meaning the weekend’s brief cooling will already be fading.
Tuesday, 8 September: Temperatures above 30°C again
Tuesday could be one of the warmest days of the week. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach around 28–33°C, bringing summer-like heat back to much of Hungary.
For anyone hoping that Saturday’s cold front marked the beginning of autumn, the answer will therefore be a clear no – at least temporarily.
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Wednesday, 9 September: A major change begins
The first wave of a more substantial weather change is currently forecast to arrive from Wednesday, when another cold front reaches Hungary.
One of its most striking effects could be a large temperature difference between different parts of the country. Western Hungary may already experience much cooler conditions while the east remains hot, potentially creating a 10–15°C difference between the two sides of the country.
Unlike Saturday’s front, this system is also expected to bring more significant rainfall.
Thursday, 10 September: Cold front spreads across Hungary
The effects of the front are expected to become much more widespread by Thursday.
Temperatures should fall across larger parts of the country, while rain could affect numerous regions. Current forecasts suggest this will be the point when the first major cooling phase becomes established.
The exact location and amount of precipitation remain uncertain several days in advance, so the forecast may still change considerably.
Friday, 11 September: Sharp cooling possible in western Hungary
By Friday, some western parts of Hungary could experience a dramatic change compared with the heat seen earlier in the week.
Current projections suggest temperatures in some western areas may reach only around 15°C – potentially almost 20 degrees below Tuesday’s highest values.
Eastern parts of the country may remain somewhat warmer, but the overall trend will be firmly towards cooler weather.
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Saturday, 12 September: Autumn weather and heavier rain
A second phase of the weather change could begin around Saturday.
Forecasts currently indicate that a Mediterranean cyclone may start influencing Hungary, bringing widespread and potentially substantial rainfall. From this point, autumnal temperatures are expected across the country rather than only in western regions.
Sunday, 13 September: Widespread rain could continue
Sunday could remain cool and wet as the Mediterranean system affects Hungary.
Between 12 and 15 September, current projections suggest that repeated rainfall could bring approximately 30–70 millimetres of precipitation across the country, with larger amounts possible in western Hungary.
Such rainfall would be particularly notable after the prolonged dry conditions of recent months.
Summer first, then a real taste of autumn
The coming days could therefore bring an unusually sharp weather contrast to Hungary: temperatures above 30°C on Tuesday, the arrival of a cold front from Wednesday, highs potentially around 15°C in parts of the west by Friday, followed by widespread autumnal weather and significant rainfall over the weekend.
Meteorologists stress that forecasts for the second half of next week still carry considerable uncertainty, particularly regarding the timing and strength of the expected Mediterranean cyclone and the amount of rainfall it may bring. Nevertheless, current models increasingly point towards a much more substantial change than the brief cold front crossing Hungary this Saturday.
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