
May be useful
The sun is still shining on a thousand branches, not a blade of grass is moving, but we notice that something is flashing all over the surrounding shores. The flashing comes from the light signaling devices of the Balaton storm warning system, which indicate the upcoming – often sudden – weather change to bathers and those traveling on the water. The storm warning has two levels.
In the case of a first-degree storm warning, the storm warning lights flash 45 times per minute, and the maximum wind gusts expected can reach 40-60 km/h. In this case, swimming, boating and other water sports equipment are only allowed within 500 meters of the shore. Here, on the southern shore, it is especially dangerous if the wind direction is also south, i.e. blowing from the shore towards Lake Balaton. We do not feel large waves because the wind coming from the south is “lifted” by the city. The wind hits the surface of the water a few tens to hundreds of meters from the shore, and at this time, bathing with inflatable mattresses or inflatable boats should be avoided, because there is a high risk of being swept away. If the wind carries away your bathing equipment, do not swim after it, it is not worth taking the risk.
In the case of a second-degree storm warning, the storm warning lights flash 90 times per minute, indicating that the storm will arrive in a short time; the speed of the wind gusts is expected to exceed 60 km/h. In such a case, according to the current rules, bathing, boating or other water sports are not allowed. In the event of a stormy northerly or north-westerly wind on the south coast, the water will become “dusty” due to the water vapor breaking off from the tops of the waves. At this time, the air has a humidity of 80-90% even at a height of 40-50 cm above the water surface, making it almost impossible to breathe. In such a situation, one must strive to get out of this layer in some way.
You can find out about the current level of the storm warning at the following address:
https://www.met.hu/idojaras/tavaink/balaton/viharjelzes/index.php
The closest storm warning systems to our accommodations are located on the roof of the Europa Hotel on the Golden Coast and on the roof of the Meteorological Observatory on the Silver Coast. The warning system operates from April 1 to October 31.