In a bone-chilling start to the week, the Czech Republic woke up to some of the coldest temperatures of the winter season on Monday. The mercury plunged to unprecedented lows, with the coldest spot, Volary, recording an icy -28.1°C, sending a shiver across the nation.

Meteorologists from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) reported that the Šumava area, in particular, experienced an extreme cold snap, with temperatures in some places dropping below -20°C. Volary, situated in this region, witnessed an extraordinary temperature of -28.1°C at a location named Luční Potok, surpassing records from the past decade.

František Vavruška, representing the Czech Budejovice branch of the Hydrometeorological Institute, provided additional insight, stating, “In the Šumava area, the temperature almost everywhere dropped to -25°C.” The harsh conditions were also felt in the Šumava marsh called Rokytská slať, where the mercury plummeted to -25.6°C, further exceeding temperature records set in 2010.

The frigid conditions extended beyond Šumava, reaching Orlické Záhoří in the Rychnov region, where temperatures dipped below -20°C. Meteorologists anticipate that the cold spell will persist, albeit slightly mitigated, with Tuesday morning expected to greet Czech residents with temperatures ranging between -4 and -10°C, accompanied by a lighter wind.

“The highest daily temperatures will hover around zero. The snow that fell over the past weekend will stay or thaw slowly,” warned the CHMI. They further advised the public to take precautions and bundle up during this icy period, emphasizing the importance of staying warm as the country grapples with the winter’s icy grip. The ongoing cold snap serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and preparedness to navigate the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.

Article by Prague Forum