Slovenia braces for third heatwave; orange alert issued for Primorska

Slovenia is preparing for the third heatwave of the year, with meteorologists forecasting a significant rise in temperatures starting today. The Primorska region is already experiencing high heat stress, prompting an orange alert.

The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) recommends that individuals manage their daily activities to minimize heat exposure. This includes keeping living and working spaces cool by preventing warm air from entering and using blinds or shutters to block sunlight. They also suggest implementing community-level measures, such as increasing shaded green spaces and providing access to air-conditioned public areas like libraries and schools, especially in urban areas known as 'heat islands'.

Certain groups are particularly vulnerable to heat, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses affecting body temperature regulation, those exposed to air pollution, outdoor workers, athletes, and travelers. People in lower socioeconomic positions and city dwellers are also at higher risk due to the intensified heatwaves in urban environments.

To mitigate the effects of the heat, the NIJZ advises cooling living spaces, seeking shade or cooler rooms, and using fans or air conditioning if necessary. Reducing physical activity, consuming light summer meals in smaller portions, wearing light, loose clothing, and drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, especially water, are also recommended to help the body cool down and regulate temperature. Temperatures are predicted to reach 31 to 35 degrees Celsius across the lowlands.