Croatia Faces Near 40°C Heat; Relief Expected Mid-Week with Storms

Croatia is experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach nearly 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in some areas. The State Hydrometeorological Bureau has issued dangerous heatwave warnings across the country, with red alerts active for the Osijek, Zagreb, Karlovac, Knin, Rijeka, Split, and Dubrovnik regions. A lower, orange alert is in place for the Gospić region.

Early morning temperatures already indicated the intensity of the heat, with Rijeka recording 29 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m., followed by Split at 28 and Rab at 27. While most of the country will remain sunny, meteorologists caution that localized thunderstorms, potentially accompanied by strong winds, could develop in the afternoon, particularly in Gorski Kotar and inland Dalmatia.

This oppressive heat is attributed to a large anticyclone bringing very warm and dry air over the region. The heatwave is expected to persist for several more days. However, a significant change is anticipated by the second half of Wednesday. Meteorologists forecast the arrival of cloud cover, rain, and thunderstorms from the north, which could bring localized severe weather.

This shift in weather patterns is expected to be accompanied by a strengthening of the northerly wind and a noticeable drop in temperature. Ivan Čačić, a meteorologist from Nova TV, predicts substantial cooling with precipitation, possibly including stormy conditions, starting Wednesday and continuing into Thursday. Following this period of unsettled weather, more sunny spells are expected, though conditions may not stabilize completely.