Poland has a temperate climate with strong west-to-east and north-to-south contrasts. The west and northwest are more ocean-influenced, while the east and southeast are more continental, so residents experience a mix of mild summers, cold winters, and variable rainfall. Köppen-Geiger maps for Poland show mainly humid continental climates, with a transition toward oceanic conditions in the west and colder, more snow-prone conditions in the northeast and mountain areas. For expats, the climate is generally manageable but seasonal: warm summers are common, winters can be long and icy, and weather changes quickly across the country.