The first storks have arrived in Poland – does this mean the end of winter?

The first storks appeared in Poland at the beginning of March, awakening our hopes for the imminent arrival of spring. But is their early arrival a sign that winter is letting go, or rather an effect of a changing climate?

Too early for spring?

The first stork this year arrived in Poland as early as March 1. It was spotted in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, in the village of Przychojec, which caused quite a stir among residents and nature enthusiasts. Traditionally, storks are considered one of the harbingers of spring, and their appearance in Polish fields and meadows brings optimism after long winter months. This time, however, their arrival surprised everyone.

Ecologists point out that the arrival of storks at the beginning of March is an anomaly. Usually, these birds appear in Poland in mid-March or even later, depending on weather conditions. Such an early return may be a consequence of climate warming. Milder winters and earlier springs in Europe shorten the time storks spend in their wintering grounds in Africa, prompting them to return sooner.

Will winter come back?

Does the early arrival of storks mean that winter is already behind us? IMGW-PIB has prepared an experimental weather forecast for the months from March to June 2025, which may help answer this question. Let’s take a look at what the weather has in store for us and whether spring is truly knocking on our door.

March 2025 is expected to be warmer than usual – the average temperature in Poland should exceed the mean value from 1991–2020. Precipitation is not expected to be surprising, as it should be close to what we know from the past. However, in the south and southeastern regions, there may be occasional rainfall shortages, while in the northeastern part, there might be slightly more precipitation. The beginning of the month looks set to be warm, but meteorologists warn that winter episodes may still appear. The spring we are waiting for, together with the storks, may not settle in for good right away.

April 2025 is also expected to be warmer than usual and additionally rainier. Both temperatures and precipitation across the country are predicted to be above the multi-year average, meaning that spring may be warm but also wet. This is good news for aquatic ecosystems and water-dependent areas, as well as for farmers.

May 2025 will continue the warming trend – temperatures are again expected to be above the norm, and precipitation should be close to the average of previous years. The weather should favor nature, without any extreme conditions.

June 2025, contrary to earlier forecasts of an exceptionally hot start to summer, is expected by IMGW-PIB to have temperatures and total precipitation within the multi-year norm. This means that although we can expect warm periods, heat waves should not be as intense as previously suggested by warming trends.

Looking at these forecasts, it is clear that warmer weather may indeed encourage the earlier arrival of storks. However, March and April remain unpredictable months – cold spells or even snow may still surprise us. As the old sayings go: “March is like a pot” and “April weaves, a bit of winter, a bit of summer…”