Slovenia braces for turbulent weather with heavy rain and flood risks

Slovenia's weather is set to become more turbulent starting Thursday, with the western regions bracing for showers and thunderstorms. The national environmental agency, Arso, warns of potential flash floods and torrents, especially in areas with dry soil, as rainfall intensifies in the afternoon and evening.

The shift follows a period of hot weather, with temperatures reaching around 32 degrees Celsius in lowlands. However, a humid air mass from the Mediterranean, fueled by record-high sea temperatures, will increase the likelihood of precipitation. While western Slovenia will see cloud cover and storms from morning, the rest of the country will remain mostly sunny until late afternoon.

By Friday, the influence of a strong, humid southwesterly airflow will continue to bring showers and thunderstorms, potentially lasting into Saturday morning. Arso forecasts between 30 to 80 millimeters of rain in the western half of the country by Saturday evening, with some locations exceeding 100 millimeters. The eastern parts, however, may continue to experience dry conditions.

The agency specifically cautions that thunderstorms could repeatedly affect the same areas in western Slovenia on Thursday evening and Friday. This persistence, combined with dry ground's reduced water absorption, heightens the risk of flash floods and torrents. Individuals camping or spending time outdoors near torrent beds are strongly advised to be particularly vigilant. Storms are also expected to move from northern Italy over the northern Adriatic, bringing heavy downpours and strong wind gusts.