Weather tracker: Snowfall cuts power in Poland and flooding devastates Sri Lanka

Poland Braces for Winter Storm as Sri Lanka Suffers Catastrophic Flooding.

Temperatures plummeted across eastern Europe this week, with the Alps witnessing extremely low temperatures, including -20C and a chilling -8.5°C in Zakopane, a town in the Polish Tatra Mountains. Heavy snowfall also hit other parts of Poland, dumping 15-20cm on central regions and a whopping 40cm closer to the mountains.

The inclement weather was caused by an area of low pressure that moved up from the Balkans and collided with Arctic cold air over Poland. As a result, 2,900 emergency calls were made due to power outages, leaving 75,000 homes in Rzeszów without electricity. In a bizarre incident, an Embraer E170STD aircraft veered off the runway onto a grass verge during a flight from Warsaw to Vilnius, Lithuania, causing air traffic delays for several hours and grounding the return flight.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Sri Lanka was facing an entirely different kind of storm. Heavy rainfall turned into catastrophic flooding in many parts of the country, with over 250mm falling in just 24 hours, exceeding the annual average by far. The extreme weather led to widespread destruction, with up to 425 homes damaged by mudslides and 40 people dead.

A staggering 1,800 families were forced to take shelter in temporary accommodations due to the disaster. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it's clear that Sri Lanka has been hit with one of its worst floods in recent memory. As the country struggles to recover, aid efforts are underway to help those affected by this devastating natural disaster.

The combination of intense rainfall and unique topography contributed to the catastrophic flooding. When clouds rise over mountains, they cool and condense, forming orographic clouds that can intensify rainfall. The resulting rain drops merge with existing precipitation from higher altitudes, creating a perfect storm of heavy downpours that left Sri Lanka reeling.

can't believe it's snowing again in poland like we're still living in 2023 and meanwhile sri lanka is getting absolutely annihilated by flooding no wonder they need more aid I mean, who needs a beach vacation when you can have mudslides

winter's coming for poland and it's gonna be a mess like everywhere else in the world they just don't prepare or plan ahead... 20cm of snow is nothing but a tiny fraction of the problems we'll have with power outages and whatnot. and now sri lanka's flooded to death... 250mm in one day? that's insane... all these extreme weather events, it's like the planet's just messing with us right now

Ugh, can't believe the crazy weather we're getting lately . I mean, -20C in the Alps? That's just insane ! And 40cm of snow in Poland? My car is definitely going to be stuck in the driveway for a while . On a more serious note, it's so sad to hear about Sri Lanka getting hit with all that flooding . I can only imagine how devastating it must be for those families who lost their homes. The whole orographic cloud thing is really interesting though... like, I never knew clouds could just form like that over mountains . Anyway, hope everyone stays safe and warm during this crazy winter storm ️!

OMG u guys! just saw the stats on Poland's winter storm and I'm SHOOK 15-20cm in central regions & 40cm near the mountains?! That's some crazy snowfall right there! And did u know that over 2,900 emergency calls were made due to power outages? 75,000 homes left without electricity is a lot, fam

But what really caught my eye was Sri Lanka's situation... Over 250mm of rain in 24 hours?! That's INSANE! ️ The combo of intense rainfall & unique topography led to catastrophic flooding... it's like they say, when clouds rise over mountains, they cool and condense, forming orographic clouds that can intensify rainfall

I'm also low-key impressed by the fact that 1,800 families were forced to take shelter in temporary accommodations due to the disaster Aid efforts are underway, but I'm sure it's gonna be a long road to recovery for Sri Lanka . The numbers don't lie: 425 homes damaged & 40 people lost their lives Still trying to process all this...

Just saw this news . Winter storm in Poland is pretty wild, I mean -20C? That's crazy! But at the same time, my heart goes out to Sri Lanka... 40cm of snow in 24 hours? That's not fair . And those 1,800 families struggling to find shelter? Unbelievable. Natural disasters are one thing, but it's how we respond that really matters .

ugh, it's like the world is just trying to keep us on our toes, right? One day we're dealing with -20C temps and snowdrifts in Poland, and the next, Sri Lanka is getting absolutely slammed by flooding. I mean, I feel for those 40 ppl who lost their lives... it's like Mother Nature is just trying to remind us that we're not in control here.

And can we talk about the absurdity of that Embraer E170STD veering off the runway? like, what even is the point of having an air traffic system if planes are just gonna do their own thing? But for real though, 2,900 emergency calls due to power outages in Poland? That's wild. And those temporary accommodations for over 1,800 families in Sri Lanka? Not exactly the most comforting thought...

anyway, I guess this is just a reminder that we're all connected (even if it feels like it at times). so let's just send some good vibes to Poland and Sri Lanka, 'kay?

omg just read about the crazy weather , first it's -20C in Poland and 40cm of snow in some areas lol, but then it's catastrophic flooding in Sri Lanka like 250mm of rain in one day?! that's insane . I'm no expert but it sounds like the combination of intense rainfall and mountains really made things bad for them. poor people who lost their homes to mudslides . aid efforts are underway, fingers crossed they can get everything sorted out soon

OMG just saw the news about Poland and Sri Lanka, I feel so bad for the people in both countries . Like, Poland is all snowy and stuff, but at least they have hot chocolate to warm up ️. On a serious note, it's crazy how one weather system can be super harsh on different parts of the world . I'm still trying to wrap my head around Sri Lanka's flooding situation – 40cm of rain in just 24 hours?! That's like, insane! Did you know that orographic clouds can make heavy downpours? Mind blown . Anyway, hoping those affected get the help they need ASAP .

Wow that's some crazy weather! Eastern Europe is basically frozen and Poland is getting slammed with snow Meanwhile in Sri Lanka, it's like they're swimming through the streets ️ 250mm of rain in just 24 hours? That's insane! And to think it was caused by orographic clouds... that's some wild science behind the weather

Ugh, this is getting out of hand ! One minute you're shoveling snow in Poland and the next you're wading through chest-deep water in Sri Lanka . It's like Mother Nature is testing our resilience. I'm not sure what's more alarming - the scale of destruction or how quickly it happened. The science behind these freak storms is crazy, though . Those orographic clouds can get pretty intense when they form over mountains. And to think, we're still using planes that can't even handle a little snow . It's time for our aviation industry to step up its game!

"It is better to travel far than once see what lies around the corner." The Polish and Sri Lankan weather is giving us a whole new definition of 'extreme'. Poland's winter storm might be harsh, but at least it doesn't come with the destruction that hit Sri Lanka. It's heartbreaking to think about those 40 lives lost. Let's keep our fingers crossed for both countries as they navigate through this disaster.

OMG what's going on with the weather right now?! I mean I've heard of polar vortexes and all but this is just crazy! -20C in the Alps? That's like, freezing your butt off! And 40cm of snow in Poland? That's like a whole lot of shoveling! At least they have heating in their homes, though. Can only imagine what those 75,000 people without electricity are dealing with...

And poor Sri Lanka, flooding everywhere and damage to over 425 homes? That's just devastating. So many lives lost already, I hope the aid efforts can get there ASAP . The whole orographic cloud thing is so cool, though! Like, I never thought about how mountains could affect weather patterns like that... mind blown

Why is it always the ones in the mountains who get to be dramatic? Meanwhile, back in Poland... 40cm snow? That's just a Tuesday for them! But seriously, who needs an Embraer E170STD plane crash when you have floods that destroy homes and kill people?

Ugh , winter is just around the corner and we're already getting hit with all sorts of crazy weather. I mean, 40cm of snow in Poland? Are they even prepared for this? And what's up with that Embraer E170STD plane incident? That's just a recipe for disaster . And on top of that, Sri Lanka is dealing with catastrophic flooding... it's like the world is just one big mess right now . I don't know how those emergency responders are even keeping up. And what about the people who lost their homes and families? 1,800 of them had to seek shelter in temporary accommodations? That's just heartbreaking . Can we just get a break from all this bad news for once?