Kraków, in southern Poland close to the Carpathian foothills, receives around 650 mm (about 26 inches) of rain a year, somewhat more than Warsaw, with a summer peak from thunderstorms intensified by the nearby mountains. The Vistula river, which also runs through Kraków upstream of Warsaw, has flooded the city significantly in the past during major rain events across the southern Polish mountains, including serious flooding in 1997 and 2010. Intense, localized summer storms remain a separate, faster-developing hazard for the historic city center. Because both flood risks matter here but operate on different timescales, radar is specifically useful for tracking the faster local storms. IMGW operates the national weather radar network.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Krakow right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Krakow, Lesser Poland Voivodeship in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Krakow, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Krakow rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Krakow?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Lesser Poland Voivodeship are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Krakow or pass by.
Is this Krakow rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.