Poland

The transition from autumn to winter is fairly hesitant, and the rain and sleet only slowly give way to snow as autumn turns to winter some time between late November and the end of December. Due to its northerly location (same latitude as England and the Canadian prairies), Poland can experience some brutally cold conditions during the winter months, but the vast majority of the time, the weather is moderated by the Gulf Stream and the temperature is rarely outside the single digits below or above freezing (usually between 15 and 50F). Whether Atlantic or continental influences win out for a given month is anybody's guess.

One could describe a typical winter's day in Poland as being slightly below freezing, calm, mostly cloudy and misty, with the odd ray of sunshine and a snow flurry or two. Snowfall is typically light, and during a typical winter, snow cover will peak at a few inches of snow up to about a foot, depending on the region. Naturally, exceptional snow events do occur, and even frequent light to moderate snow can accumulate to several feet if temperatures consistently remain below freezing. Snow depths in excess of about 50cm (20 inches) are generally only confined to mountainous regions, however.

In Poland, winter is the most unpredictable season and can range from rather mild to very cold. For example, January 2006 was extremely cold, with temperatures averaging around minus 8C (17F) and several nights reaching as low as minus 30 to 35C (20 to 30F below zero). For a large part of the country, there wasn't a single day above freezing for over a month. The very next year, in January 2007, the opposite happened, and there were weeks on end without a single night with temperatures below freezing point, i.e. the winter was mild and rainy, reminiscent of the British Isles.

More typically, however, you can expect it to be slightly below freezing in the eastern half of the country, and slightly above in the west and the coast. The days are very short (around 8 hours) and the sun is very low in the sky. If there is no snow cover, it can be very grim, as skies are generally overcast and the low sun doesn't provide much light.

You will often hear people say that in Poland, -15C or -20C (around 0F) feels far more comfortable than 5C (low 40s F). This is often true in Poland because colder temperatures generally come with little or no wind and sunny skies, whereas mild temperatures are invariably associated with oceanic influence and tend to come with leaden skies, rain, sleet, drizzle and biting winds.

The most severe cold weather occurs in the south and the east of the country. Typical winter clothing with a hat and a scarf is recommended.

Depending on the region, the average high in January ranges from minus 3 to 2C above zero (27 to 36F).

Spring

The desperately weak sun rapidly gains in strength from late February onwards, and the transition from winter to spring usually occurs between early March and early April. It often comes on quite suddenly, with daytime highs jumping from below freezing to the low 20s (70s Fahrenheit) in the space of a week. Spring itself can be quite a short season, often turning to summer as early as the first week or two of May.

In April, temperatures vary widely from day to day and warm, sunny days are often rudely interrupted with cold, rainy ones. The humidity is very low on the warmest days, so it is not uncommon for it to be below freezing in the morning and above 20C (in the 70s F) in the afternoon. Daytime temperatures average out in the mid teens (upper 50s F). Lasting snowfall is rare but not impossible.

May is usually a delightful, mild and sunny month that sometimes sees the first hot days in the 30s (above 86F). Days are 15-16 hours long, humidity remains low, and even the hottest days are distinctly comfortable. By now, night-time frosts become uncommon. While most months have a spell of rather cold weather, temperatures reach into the 20s about half the time now. Some time between early May and early June, the temperatures begin to stabilise and the cool days become increasingly uncommon, as spring gives way to the Polish summer.

Even if it's been lovely and warm for the last few weeks, do bring a jacket if visiting in spring. If it doesn't cool down during the day, it can still be very cold at night. The Baltic coast can see temperatures in the single digits (40s F) during the day even when the rest of the country is basking in summerlike heat.

The average high in May is in the upper teens up to about 20C (mid 60s F up to around 68F).

Summer

In June, the sun is high in the sky and the day is 16-17 hours long. As summer progresses, the cool days become less cool and less frequent. Temperatures are very moderate, typically reaching the low to mid 20s C (70s F), whereas during the occasional hot spells, temperatures can reach into the mid or even upper 30s (90F - 100F). Nighttime lows are typically comfortable in the mid teens (55F-60F), though hot nights above 22C (72F) and cold nights below 7C (45F) do sometimes occur.

It is hard to know which summer month will have the best weather. It is not uncommon for one month to average as high as 30C (mid 80s F) and the next as low as 21C (70F). In a typical month, however, you can expect plenty of days in the low 20s (low-mid 70s), some warm to hot, dry spells with temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s (80 to 90F) followed by a few humid days with potentially violent thunderstorms, that give way to a refreshing cool spell of around 20C (upper 60s).

The southwest sees the most days around 35C (95F), followed closely by the south and the southeast. The weather in the north of the country tends to be more moderate with few uncomfortable hot or humid days. Summer, however, is much shorter in the north. While the south of the country may continue enjoying summer weather well into September, autumn usually arrives a good deal sooner the further north you go.

Standard casual attire is best. In general, summers range from quite warm to hot with some occasional uncomfortably hot and humid spells that usually last days, sometimes weeks. Rain and thunder is to be expected.

The average high in July ranges from 22C (72F) on the coast to 24-25C (75-77F) in the south.

Autumn & November (November is a season of its own)

Even in the height of summer, in August, as the days remain warm, the nights grow longer and progressively cooler. Thin layers of fog can often be seen in wide open areas early in the morning before the hot, summer sun does its job.

Like the transition from winter to spring, the transition to autumn can come as a bit of a shock. Though the beautiful, warm, summer weather can continue into September, the sun rapidly loses its strength and night temperatures can once again start flirting with the freezing mark as daytime highs continue to reach the 20s (70s F). Early autumn is characterised by chilly (but not freezing), foggy mornings, bright, sunny days and cool evenings. Occasional warm days in the 20s (70s F) can occur well into October, though temperatures in the teens (50s and 60s F) are more typical. There can be a long spell of very cold, wet, miserable weather as early as September, though more typically towards the end of October.

And unfortunately, by early November, the cold, wet and miserable weather becomes the rule, rather than the exception. The sun is but a tiny fraction of its former strength and the long summer days are a thing of the past. Instead of setting at 9pm, the sun sets before 4pm, and as the leaves fall off the trees, Atlantic depressions begin to dominate, blocking out what little sun there is and making the landscape dark, cold, grim and wet. November, or late autumn, is the most unpleasant time of the year with few redeeming features. Temperatures typically hover in the single digits above freezing (around 40F). Add to that the freezing rain, the howling wind, the mud, the sleet, the short days and the lack of light, and you'll find yourself waiting impatiently for winter to begin, when the landscape once again becomes beautiful and bright (you hope), and you can leave the house without worrying about getting soaking wet and covered in mud.

December often sees a continuation of the miserable, late autumn weather, though winter usually manages to make an appearance in time for Christmas.

A light jacket is always a good idea in early autumn. Even though it's typically above freezing in November, full-on winter wear is recommended.

When to go

May - September typically have comfortable temperatures and plenty of sunshine and these months offer the best of spring, summer and autumn. If you must go in winter, pick January and February. These typically have the fewest wet days. February has more sunshine (though still not much) and longer days. However, due to Atlantic influence, snowy winter weather is not guaranteed during any winter month. It is quite possible that it may be cold and rainy. Equally, you may also find yourself having to face temperatures a good deal further below freezing than the averages suggest.

When not to go

Avoid November like the plague. While October can be a beautiful month, it can equally be dark, dank and miserable. December can be a nice winter month, but it can also be a colder, darker and more miserable copy of November with even shorter days. March can bring with it spectacular winter scenery with bright sunshine or wonderful, mild early spring weather, but more often than not, it brings rain, sleet and wet snow.