Powerful storm approaches Croatia; heavy rain, thunderstorms expected

A potent storm system is moving towards Croatia from the sea, poised to deliver localized heavy downpours and thunderstorms overnight and into Thursday morning.

Meteorologists indicate the system is very strong, but current projections suggest it will largely skirt Istria and head towards northern Dalmatia. Meteorologist Darijo Brzoja noted that an atmospheric disturbance will cross the region, creating conditions for intense showers and thunder. He explained that summer months naturally see more of these phenomena due to high atmospheric energy, which fuels thunderstorms.

Variable cloudiness with intermittent rain, showers, and thunderstorms are expected across most of Croatia through Thursday. Strong winds may accompany localized severe weather. The Adriatic coast will experience strong northwesterly winds and bora, particularly along the northern and central coast, as the system passes. Conditions are expected to stabilize quickly afterward, with sunny periods returning later on Thursday.

Despite the temporary cooling effect of the storm, high temperatures persist. Warnings for heatwaves remain in effect for the Adriatic coast, with temperatures forecast to reach around 30-32 degrees Celsius in northern Dalmatia and up to 34 degrees in Dalmatia. Friday is expected to be sunny and hot again, with a new system bringing rain and thunderstorms later in the afternoon and evening, continuing into Saturday. The weather is predicted to calm down from Sunday, with more sunshine and significantly more pleasant temperatures, around 25-26 degrees Celsius, expected the following week.

Earlier on Wednesday, severe weather, including hail, struck parts of Gorski Kotar and Lika. Hail was so intense in some areas that it blanketed the landscape, with footage from Jablan near Vrbovsko showing roads barely visible due to the heavy precipitation. Modruš in Lika was also hit, with meteorological site Neverin reporting it was at the center of a storm cell at one point. Residents near Ogulin also reported a storm passing through their area.