The blizzard code in Bucharest and in 12 other counties has entered into force: half a meter of snow is expected

Romania is facing a severe winter episode, after meteorologists issued an orange code of heavy snow and blizzard for Bucharest and 12 counties. In the next hours, strong storms, gusts of up to 85 km/h and reduced visibility below 50 meters are expected.

Bad weather in Romania PHOTO: Archive

The Orange Warning for Heavy Snow and Blizzard went into effect Tuesday, February 17 at 8:00 PM and is in effect until Wednesday, February 18 at 12:00 PM.

The situation could become even worse. The general director of ANM, Elena Mateescu, said on Tuesday evening, on Antena 3 CNN, that although the orange code remains in force for the 12 counties and for the city of Bucharest, the institution constantly monitors the evolution of the phenomena.

ANM map PHOTO: capture

It emphasized that, depending on the evolution in the field, a code red nowcasting warning could also be issued, with very short notice. “If it is found, from the situation we are monitoring, we do not rule out issuing a code red nowcasting warning, on an anticipation level of zero to six hours”said Elena Mateescu.

The National Meteorological Administration (ANM) has issued the warning for Bucharest and 12 counties in Muntenia and Moldova, and meteorologists are forecasting strong blizzard, heavy snowfall and a layer of snow that can reach up to 50 centimeters.

The weather alert covers the capital and the counties of Argeș, Teleorman, Dâmbovița, Giurgiu, Ilfov, Prahova, Călărași, Ialomița, Brăila, Buzău, Vrancea and Galați. Meteorologists announce that the wind will have gusts between 60 and 85 km/h, with maximum intensities in the counties of Vrancea, Galați, Buzău, Brăila, Ialomița and Călăraşi.

There will be a strong blizzard, the snow will be trojan, and the visibility will be reduced below 50 meters. In Muntenia and southern Moldova, the snow layer will be between 20 and 50 cm thick, and in Bucharest a layer of 20–35 cm is expected.

Accumulated water quantities will be 25–40 l/m2, maximum temperatures will be 2–3 degrees Celsius, and minimum temperatures around -1 degree.

In addition to the code orange, forecasters have also issued code yellow warnings for other areas.

The first warning is valid from February 17, at 10:00 a.m., until February 18, at 12:00 p.m., it covers southeastern Oltenia, southern Transylvania, Muntenia, Dobrogea and Moldova, where precipitation will be mixed during the day, and snow will prevail at night. 25–30 l/m2 will accumulate, isolated above 40–45 l/m2, and the snow cover will be 10–30 cm, with local snow in the southeast.

Also, the second warning is in effect from Tuesday 10:00 PM until Wednesday 12:00 AM. It targets the Southern Carpathians, most of the Eastern Carpathians and the Banat Mountains, with wind gusts between 70 and 90 km/h.

The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU) announced that more than 4,000 firefighters and 3,000 means were prepared to intervene in support of the population and local authorities, all measures being taken to prevent and manage emergency situations generated by severe weather phenomena.

In Bucharest, the Bucharest-Ilfov Intervention Coordination and Management Center was activated, which brings together representatives of the ISU, the Capital City Hall and the sector city halls, the Gendarmerie, the Capital Police, the Ambulance Service, UPU SMURD Floreasca Hospital, Metrorex, STB, “Apa Nova”, Distrigaz, Rețele Electrice Muntenia and the Water Management System, for the rapid coordination of interventions during the orange code.

In the counties affected by code orange, IGSU has supplemented the crews and means of intervention in Buzău, Brăila, Călărași, Giurgiu, Ialomița, Dâmbovița, Teleorman, Vaslui and Vrancea, being deployed special vehicles for personal transport and multiple victims, crawlers, intervention trucks and bulldozers.

The Border Police warns that snow, blizzards and sleet can affect traffic through border crossing points, causing delays and travel difficulties.

“We recommend road users: to inform themselves before departure about the weather and road conditions; to properly equip their vehicles for driving in winter conditions; to show increased caution and respect the instructions of the authorities; to take into account alternative routes or crossing points, if the situation requires it“, the Border Police sent.

Schools closed in Giurgiu and Brăila counties

School courses will be physically suspended in Giurgiu on February 18, 2026, taking place exclusively online, according to the decision of the County Committee for Emergency Situations.

Also, the Brăila Emergency Situations Inspectorate announced the suspension of classes with physical presence for Wednesday, in seven educational units in the county, as a result of the severe weather conditions.

The measure was taken preventively, at the request of the directors of educational units, in the context of the weather warning code orange, valid until February 18, at 12:00, which targets Brăila county.

According to the information sent by the authorities, classes with physical presence will be suspended in schools in the localities: Grădiştea, Salcia Tudor, Ulmu, Bertestii de Jos, Cireşu, Roşiori, Racoviţa. The didactic activity will take place in the online system.

Difficult traffic on DN1 due to snow

The INFOTRAFFIC Center of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police informs that road traffic is difficult on DN 1 Brașov – Ploiești, in winter conditions, as a result of unfavorable weather.

Actions are being taken in the area to keep the road passable, but weather conditions can affect travel safety.

“In this context, the measure has been established to restrict traffic with a maximum permissible total mass of more than 7.5 tons, on the direction Bucharest – Brașov, from 447052 near the town of Nistorești, starting at 20:00. At the same time, heavy traffic will be diverted from near Ploiești on DJ 236 towards DN 1A”, reported Infotrafic.

The police recommend drivers to avoid traveling in the area if they are not absolutely necessary, to inform themselves in advance about the condition of the road and to use only vehicles equipped for the winter season.

“Drivers are also advised to adapt their speed to the road conditions, keep a greater safety distance from other vehicles, show increased caution on road sectors with reduced visibility and obey the directions of traffic police officers in the field”, the Romanian Police sent.