Sleet and sticking snow ahead: Hungarian Railways and road operators boost winter readiness

In the coming days, Hungary will see a genuine shift to wintry conditions, with several waves of mixed precipitation, strong winds and, in some areas, a thicker blanket of snow. Magyar Közút and the MÁV Group have already reinforced their standby operations ahead of the weekend, as road and travel conditions are expected to deteriorate across the country.

Weekend weather: snow gradually moving eastwards

According to warnings issued by Magyar Közút, from Friday to Sunday the country will experience overcast, wet and unsettled weather, with the type of precipitation changing frequently.

• From Friday, sleet and sticking snow are expected in Transdanubia and the northern mountain ranges.
• Elsewhere, rain will remain the dominant form of precipitation for now, but the snow line will gradually shift eastward by Saturday.
• In lowland areas, only a few centimetres of melting snow may accumulate, while significantly thicker layers cannot be ruled out in higher elevations.
• Northern winds may often be strong or even reach gale force at times.

A new band of precipitation will arrive on Saturday, bringing widespread sticking snow and sleet, while rain may still persist in the east. Several centimetres of fresh snow are expected in the Northern Uplands.

On Sunday, cloudier skies will linger over eastern Hungary, while clearer intervals open up in the west. Light snow or sleet may fall overnight, with only occasional flurries expected during the day in the northeast.

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Magyar Közút: winter operating mode activated

Magyar Közút emphasised that the upcoming weather clearly marks the arrival of winter, and drivers must also prepare for more challenging conditions. The company maintains 31,000 kilometres of national roads, with around 800 vehicles operating in 12-hour shifts throughout the winter months.

Key measures include:

• Preventive salting before frost, snowfall or freezing rain
• Deploying snowploughs once 3–5 centimetres of fresh snow has accumulated
• Installing snow fences and nets in areas prone to drifting
• Asking drivers not to overtake winter maintenance vehicles displaying orange beacons and to maintain a safe distance

Drivers are advised to:

• Install winter tyres once temperatures fall below +7°C
• Check lights, washer fluid and the battery before setting off
• Keep an ice scraper, snow chains, a blanket, hot drinks and some food in the car

Up-to-date travel information is available on utinform.hu.

MÁV Group: more staff and faster snow clearance

The MÁV Group is also preparing with increased staffing levels. The railway company and Volánbusz will:

• Keep additional reserve vehicles and personnel on standby
• Begin clearing snow and ice at stations and stops immediately after snowfall, working together with contractors
• Deploy passenger support staff from the National Emergency Centre at major stations, even during the coldest hours, to assist travellers

The goal is to maintain uninterrupted transport services, even if snow and strong winds make operations significantly more difficult.

Preparing for winter is a shared responsibility

Road operators and transport companies stress that while they work continuously to ensure safe travel, drivers also play a crucial role in winter preparedness. Fresh snowfall over the weekend may lead to slippery roads, slower journeys and minor disruptions in several parts of the country.

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