Slovenia faces flooding from cold front after heatwave, with heat returning next week

A recent cold front brought disruptive weather to parts of Slovenia, particularly affecting the Bovec region. On Friday evening, a thunderstorm with intense rainfall developed, prompting firefighters to pump water from numerous garages and basements in residential buildings, as well as from a hotel and a cultural center.

While Bovec experienced flooding, the rainfall elsewhere in the country offered much-needed respite from the ongoing heatwave and drought that has plagued Slovenia this summer. The storm system moved from the north and northwest towards central and southeastern Slovenia overnight. Aside from the issues in Bovec, the Administration for Civil Protection and Rescue Services reported no other significant problems, noting that the rain provided relief in areas suffering from the extended dry spell.

Looking ahead, the weather is expected to shift significantly. After the cold front passes, Sunday will mark the beginning of a new period characterized by predominantly dry and hot conditions. This warm spell is forecast to persist for at least the duration of the following week. Daily high temperatures are expected to range between 28 and 33 degrees Celsius on Sunday, potentially reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius in the Primorska region, with further increases anticipated in the subsequent days.

Despite the anticipated heat, temperatures are expected to remain mostly between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius, slightly cooler than the peak temperatures experienced earlier in the week. Isolated showers and thunderstorms might occur in the northern parts of the country, primarily on Monday. The persistent drought and low river levels are expected to continue and potentially worsen, with a high fire risk remaining in effect across the country, particularly severe in the Primorska region.