PHOTO: Autumn is on the way

Croatia is heading into a new week of sunshine and heat, but the weather is set for a sharp reversal. The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service continues to warn of a heat wave, with Rijeka, Split and Dubrovnik under yellow alerts through Tuesday.

Sunday will remain mostly sunny, with temperatures reaching 28 to 33°C in most areas and locally higher in Dalmatia. Monday will also be hot, with highs of 29 to 34°C. Morning cloud cover may appear in central and eastern parts of the country.

Winds will be light to moderate inland. The Adriatic will see a moderate northeasterly wind at times, with strong and gale-force gusts below the Velebit mountains. Later, northwesterly and southwesterly winds will develop along the coast.

The change could begin on Wednesday. Forecast models indicate that clouds will arrive from the west, bringing rain and falling temperatures. A cold front with thunderstorms, showers, rain and strong, locally gale-force winds could hit northwestern inland areas and the northern and central Adriatic overnight from Wednesday into Thursday.

The front is expected to spread across the entire country on Thursday. Strong, locally storm-force bora winds will follow along the Adriatic. Inland temperatures could drop by 12 to 15°C, while the Adriatic and areas near the coast could see falls of 8 to 10°C.