przymrozek

Przymrozek is a Polish term for frost, referring to a period or event during which air and surface temperatures fall below 0°C, causing the formation of ice on exposed surfaces. It most often occurs at night or in the early morning in autumn, winter, and early spring, when clear skies, calm winds, and radiative cooling promote temperature drops near the ground. Frost can form as white frost on grass and objects or as hoarfrost when water vapor directly deposits as ice crystals.

Another related condition is czarny przymrozek, or black frost, which describes very cold conditions in which surface frost is sparse or invisible due to very dry air, yet plant tissues can still suffer damage from freezing temperatures. The distinction between visible frost (szron/hoarfrost) and invisible frost is important for agriculture.

Impacts of przymrozek include damage to fruit buds, flowers and young crops, reduced yields, and effects on transport and infrastructure if frost is severe. Protective measures in farming include selecting frost-tolerant varieties, using coverings, and optimizing pruning or harvest timing based on forecasts. In urban settings, frost can create slippery surfaces and hazards.

Forecasting and monitoring are provided by national meteorological services, with regional forecasts noting where frost is likely, particularly in valleys and low-lying areas. The term przymrozki is common in weather reports across Poland to describe upcoming cold nights and potential frost damage.