How do Poland’s winters differ between the plains and the mountains?

In Poland, winter conditions vary significantly between the low-lying plains and the mountainous regions, primarily due to the influence of altitude on climate.1

• Precipitation: While snow accounts for approximately half of the total winter precipitation in the central lowlands, it constitutes almost all of the precipitation in the mountains.1
• Temperature and Inversion: The climate of the mountains is determined by altitude. In the Carpathian Mountains, a common winter phenomenon is temperature inversion. During these events, low-lying depressions and valleys retain very cold air, while the higher mountain peaks experience relatively warmer temperatures.12
• General Character: Across the country, winter is characterized by the dominance of polar-continental air masses, which bring crisp, frosty weather, often followed by even colder Arctic air. While the plains experience a transitional climate between maritime and continental types, the mountains act as distinct climatic zones where conditions are heavily dictated by their elevation.12