First snow: In this Croatian town, they've already brought out the shovels

Residents of Begovo Razdolje, the highest inhabited settlement in Croatia, began clearing snow from their doorways early this week after approximately 20 centimeters accumulated on the ground. Located at an elevation of 1,078 meters above sea level, the village saw its residents pull shovels from storage earlier than usual for the season. The weather event marked the first significant snowfall of the autumn, blanketing the highest peaks of the country. While the accumulation was substantial locally, similar conditions affected other high-altitude areas, including Zavižan and Platak near Rijeka, which recorded 12 centimeters of snow. The timing of the snowfall surprised some observers, though locals noted it was not entirely unexpected for the region. Residents stated that they had to clear the paths in front of their houses slightly later than they typically would at this time of year. Among those working in the cold air was 82-year-old Franjo Stritof. He described the physical labor as a welcome change of pace. Stritof told reporters that he felt bored and viewed the shoveling as beneficial exercise that allowed him to get fresh air. His comments were shared with local television crews documenting the scene. Begovo Razdolje maintains a small permanent population of roughly twenty people who live there year-round. For these long-term residents, snow arriving in early November is a familiar occurrence rather than a shock. They are accustomed to long, cold winters in this part of the Gorski Kotar mountain range. Bojan Franciskovic, who owns a local agricultural holding, commented on the resilience required to live at such an altitude. He suggested that individuals choose whether they are brave enough to handle the conditions, adding that life in the village remains good despite the harsh climate. As the day progressed, the weather pattern shifted. Temperatures rose to approximately three degrees Celsius above zero during daylight hours. This increase caused the fresh snow to begin melting and transitioning into rain. Stritof observed the changing precipitation, noting that it fell as a mix of light rain and snow during the day, while pure snow returned as night approached. Despite the daytime warming, the overall trend indicated a temporary lull in winter conditions. Current forecasts suggest that the current snow cover will melt completely before the weekend arrives. Franciskovic expressed little concern over the fleeting nature of the snowpack. He explained that such brief snowfalls often occur in mid-October in this specific area of the mountains. Typically, the snow lasts for one or two days before pleasant autumn weather returns. He characterized the recent event as a standard seasonal pattern rather than an anomaly. The local experience aligns with historical weather patterns in the Gorski Kotar, where early winter signals frequently give way to warmer periods. Meteorological data from the Croatian Meteorological Service, known as DHMZ, provides further detail on the regional forecast. For the following day, sleet and snow are again expected in the highest mountainous regions. Across the mainland, temperatures are projected to range between four and nine degrees Celsius, with lower readings in the mountains. Coastal areas along the Adriatic Sea are expected to see partly sunny skies accompanied by moderate to strong bora winds. Inland areas will remain predominantly cloudy, with localized rainfall. Broader weather forecasts indicate that the shift toward colder weather extends beyond just the immediate snowfall. The DHMZ predicted that the upcoming weekend would bring a general change in weather across Croatia. From midday onward, scattered rain is expected, with thunderstorms possible in the south. Sleet or snow is anticipated in the highest elevations. Winds will blow from the northeast, ranging from moderate to locally strong, with gusts reaching storm-force levels in the evening. Along the coast, the bora wind will be moderate to strong, potentially becoming stormy under Mount Velebit, where hurricane-force gusts are possible. Temperatures across the country are expected to vary significantly depending on location. Most inland areas will see highs between six and 11 degrees Celsius, while coastal zones could reach between 11 and 16 degrees. By Monday, the weather is forecast to remain gloomy, with clouds and intermittent rain in the interior and potential sleet or snow in the highlands. The Adriatic coast will experience variable cloud cover, with morning rains giving way to more sunshine, particularly in Istria and Dalmatia. Strong to stormy northeast winds will continue, with hurricane-force gusts again possible under Velebit. Looking ahead to the middle of the week, cloudy and cool conditions are expected to persist. However, forecasts point to an improvement starting Thursday. The interior is likely to see light to moderate cloudiness with morning fog, while the Adriatic coast should become mostly sunny, albeit with continued bora winds. Morning temperatures are expected to drop slightly, while daily highs will rise. International forecasting models, such as Norway's Yr.no, corroborate the local predictions, indicating that snow will continue to fall in areas like Zavižan in the coming days. This sustained cold spell suggests that while the initial snow in Begovo Razdolje may melt quickly, winter conditions are firmly establishing themselves in the highest parts of the country.