Strela zanetila požar, ogenj se je približal hišam

A heatwave has gripped much of Slovenia and Croatia over the past few days, bringing record-breaking temperatures and dramatic weather changes. In Slovenia, the situation remains intense as high temperatures continue into Wednesday before a shift in weather conditions brings thunderstorms and heavy rain. The country's meteorological service, Arso, has issued red warnings for parts of southern, central, and southeastern Slovenia, indicating extreme heat conditions that could pose health risks to residents. These alerts remain in effect until Wednesday, after which the weather is expected to cool down significantly.

In Slovenia, temperatures have been climbing steadily since Saturday, reaching new highs on Sunday. On Sunday alone, nearly all regions saw a rise in temperature compared to Saturday. The hottest spots were found along the coast, particularly in the area around Podnanos, where a temperature of 37.5°C was recorded. This marks one of the highest readings for June in recent history. Other notable locations included Bežigrad in Ljubljana, Škocjan near Divača, Osilnica, Postojna, and Trojan, where temperatures reached up to 36.5°C, 36.5°C, 34.3°C, and 32.5°C respectively. These records follow similar ones measured on Saturday in Tolmin and Litija, where temperatures reached 36.8°C and 35.4°C.

Meteorologists predict that the heat will persist throughout Tuesday, with temperatures ranging between 32°C and 36°C, and even higher in some areas such as Gorizia and the Vipava Valley, where they could reach approximately 38°C. However, starting on Wednesday, the weather pattern is set to change dramatically. According to the duty meteorologist, Andrej Velkavrh, conditions are forming for afternoon thunderstorms, possibly three in total, primarily affecting the Alpine and Inner Carniola regions. Although these storms might bring significant rainfall, the amounts are unlikely to be substantial. By midweek, temperatures should drop to a more manageable range of 25°C to 30°C.

Across the border in Croatia, the effects of the heatwave have also been severe. Cities such as Split have experienced record temperatures, with the mercury rising to 39.6°C, surpassing previous records dating back to 1948. In Šibenik and Zadar, temperatures have also broken historical benchmarks for June, with Šibenik recording 37.7°C and Zadar hitting 36.1°C. These extreme temperatures were followed by sudden and violent weather shifts, including thunderstorms and hail, which brought relief but also posed challenges due to their intensity.

The most affected region was southern Dalmatia, stretching from the Biokovo mountain range down to Dubrovnik. The town of Vrgorac saw the heaviest rainfall, with about 25 liters per square meter falling within a short period. In addition to this torrential rain, hail was reported in several areas, causing a noticeable drop in temperature—around 15 degrees Celsius in the vicinity of Vrgorac, bringing the temperature down to approximately 20°C. This rapid cooling was welcomed by many, offering a reprieve from the sweltering heat.

However, the sudden weather change also led to complications, notably in the form of wildfires. On the island of Čiovo near Split, a fire broke out, likely caused by lightning during the storm. Firefighters were deployed to the scene, supported by four firefighting aircraft sent from Canada. The fire threatened nearby homes, with smoke and ash filling the air, making breathing difficult for local residents. Additional fires were reported in other areas, including the slopes above Orebić on the Pelješac Peninsula and near Kaštel Sučurac close to Split. The causes of these fires are still under investigation.

As the week progresses, the weather forecast suggests a gradual cooling trend, with temperatures dropping to a more comfortable level by late in the week. While the immediate threat of extreme heat appears to be subsiding, the unpredictable nature of the weather continues to challenge both residents and emergency services. With the possibility of further thunderstorms and potential for additional wildfires, vigilance remains necessary as the region navigates through this volatile transition from scorching heat to cooler, wetter conditions.