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Spring warmth one day, snowfall the next: Hungary braces for a wild weather weekend!
After the warmest day of the year so far, winter is set to make an abrupt comeback in Hungary, with sunshine, rain, sleet and even snow all forecast within just a few days.
According to reports from Telex and weather service Időkép, the coming days will bring fast-changing conditions that could catch many off guard, especially those already enjoying spring-like temperatures.
Sunny but windy Friday
Friday will still feel relatively mild and pleasant. Several hours of sunshine are expected across the country, and significant rainfall is unlikely. However, a cold front will move in, bringing lively to strong north-westerly winds.
Forecasts from HungaroMet put daytime highs between 10°C and 15°C, though cloudier regions may stay slightly cooler. By late evening, temperatures could drop sharply to between 0°C and 6°C.
Rain turning to sleet and snow on Saturday
Conditions will begin to deteriorate overnight as cloud cover thickens from the west, with mist and fog forming in places.
On Saturday, sunshine may still appear briefly in the east and north-east during the morning, but skies will gradually become overcast nationwide. From the afternoon and evening, rain is expected to spread from western areas. In western Transdanubia, rainfall could turn into sleet and snow late at night.
Morning lows may range from -4°C to +3°C, while afternoon highs could still reach between 7°C and 15°C. Winds will shift from south-easterly to northerly later in the day, strengthening in several regions.
Wintry Sunday with stormy winds
Sunday will bring the most unsettled weather. Rain, sleet and snowfall are likely in many areas during the morning, with mixed precipitation lingering mainly east of the Danube later in the day.
Strong to stormy northerly and north-westerly winds are expected across much of Hungary, with some areas experiencing severe gusts. In western regions, blowing snow may temporarily reduce visibility.
A marked cold snap will follow, with maximum temperatures plunging to just -2°C to +6°C.
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More cold to start next week
The wintry feel is set to continue into Monday, with light snow or flurries possible in western and central parts of the country. Daytime temperatures are forecast to remain low, between -2°C and +4°C.
With such dramatic swings from near 20°C warmth to freezing conditions and snowfall in a matter of days, we advise residents and travellers alike to keep an eye on the forecast and dress for rapidly changing weather.