Croatia will face predominantly sunny and very hot weather on Thursday, with temperatures in parts of the country approaching 40 degrees Celsius. The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) has issued a red alert for that day due to the very high risk of heat, covering the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In inland Istria and Dalmatia, as well as in Gorski Kotar, local showers accompanied by thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon. Although warnings will ease in parts of the country on Friday, the highest level of warning will still apply to certain areas. Exceptionally warm air in a field of slightly elevated pressure will remain present, with heat beginning to subside in parts of Croatia from Friday, but it will not leave us completely.
Meteorologists warn that it is not only currently record-breaking hot, but it is very likely that the two-week period at the end of July and beginning of August will be the hottest since measurements began. Zoran Vakula, chief meteorologist at Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), forecast that the very high risk to health from heat will continue in predominantly clear central Croatia.
In central Croatia, it will often be hot even before 10 am, and in city centres, air temperatures will not drop below 20 degrees even at dawn. No noticeable relief will be felt in Gorski Kotar and Lika, where the highest temperature will mostly be around 36 degrees, while in inland Istria, temperatures may rise above 36 degrees.
In eastern Croatia, the weather will be sunny but not completely clear, with generally weak south-easterly and easterly winds. Temperatures will rise from morning 16 to 19 degrees to almost 40 degrees in the afternoon, further highlighting the intensity of the heatwave affecting this part of the country.
