On Friday, a rare and dangerous natural phenomenon occurred in Poland: a tornado swept through the village of Cudnochy in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. Witnesses managed to capture the moment of the vortex's passage on video, which is quickly gaining popularity on social media.
Confirmation from meteorologists
The fact of the tornado's occurrence was officially confirmed by the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) of Poland. According to meteorologist Piotr Szuster, this event has already been classified as a tornado and entered into the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD).
In the footage shot by witness Jakub Malczyk, the characteristic condensation funnel and powerful swirling air masses sweeping over the settlement are clearly visible.
Unexpected power of the elements
Although meteorological radars had detected conditions favorable for strong storms as early as the morning, the actual scale and power of the elements were unexpected for local residents. The situation developed rapidly, turning into a serious challenge for the region.
Forecast and risks for the region
Experts warn that the situation may worsen. Due to the influx of hot and humid air, the risk of new strong storms and local tornadoes in Poland is increasing in the near future. Meteorologists are calling on the population to exercise heightened vigilance.
Context of extreme weather events
This incident is part of a general trend of increasing extreme weather events in the European region, which are causing large-scale destruction more frequently. In particular, at the end of May in Poland, a powerful tornado already destroyed dozens of houses: gusts of wind with speeds of up to 180–250 km/h tore off roofs and knocked down trees en masse.
Problems with strong gusts of wind are also relevant for neighboring countries. In Ukraine, in April, a massive "treefall" and falling branches on wires led to significant damage to infrastructure. As a result, roads were blocked, vehicles and private homes were damaged.