This is the 13898th most frequent Polish word.
ponura
Gloomy, grim, or somber.
Here, 'ponura' describes an abstract quality, specifically the depressing nature of the city's conditions.
Sytuacja w tym mieście była ponura z powodu nieustających problemów.
The situation in this city was gloomy due to persistent problems.
In this sentence, 'ponura' characterizes the atmosphere or ambiance of a specific season—the melancholic aspects of winter.
Zima tego roku była wyjątkowo ponura, z małą ilością śniegu i krótkimi dniami.
The winter this year was unusually bleak, with little snow and short days.
The word 'ponura' here is used to describe the tone of a narrative, emphasizing its serious and sorrowful mood.