Storm Bernadette slams Polish coast with 120 km/h winds, forcing evacuations and pier closure

Storm Bernadette slams Polish coast

Northern Poland is under the influence of deep low-pressure system Bernadette, which brought hurricane-force winds to the Baltic coast on Wednesday, 8 July. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) issued its highest, level-three warnings for several coastal counties, with gusts forecast to reach 120 km/h in the Gdańsk Bay area. By morning, wind speeds had already exceeded 100 km/h, and the storm was expected to peak around midday.

This is an anomaly. I admit I haven't seen such a deep low on a July map in a long time.

The system, with a central pressure of 983 hPa near Kaliningrad Oblast, is more typical of autumn than mid-summer, according to synoptics. It has caused widespread disruption, from fallen trees and power lines to cancelled ferry services between Gdańsk and Sweden.

Evacuations and closures

Precautionary evacuations were carried out on Tuesday evening. Over 400 scouts were moved from camps in Krynica Morska and Mrzeżyno to local schools and cultural centres. In Gdańsk, the Brzeźno pier was closed until further notice.

The ban on entering the pier is in effect until further notice. We ask residents and tourists to comply with this restriction.

Sandbag barriers were erected along the beach in Krynica Morska to protect seaside restaurants from storm surge, a phenomenon known locally as "cofka", where strong winds push seawater back into rivers, raising water levels to alarm states. Firefighters responded to 50 incidents overnight in Pomerania alone, mostly involving fallen branches and trees.

Unusual July weather

The storm follows a period of heatwaves, with temperatures dropping sharply to just 12°C in Podlasie and 18°C in central regions. The contrast is stark, and authorities have urged caution, advising people to avoid parks, forests, and cemeteries, and to secure loose objects. Warnings also cover inland areas, with gusts up to 85 km/h in Podlaskie and other eastern regions, accompanied by thunderstorms and hail.

Improving conditions ahead

The wind is expected to gradually weaken on Wednesday afternoon, though gusts of 60-70 km/h may persist into Thursday. The weekend should bring a significant improvement, with temperatures rising to 26-30°C. Longer-term forecasts suggest a return of heatwaves around 18 July, with temperatures possibly reaching 38°C in western Poland.