Remove Four Items from Your Car Before the Weekend: Cabin Temperature Exceeds 70°C
Croatia Under Red Weather Alert: Heat Can Damage Medications, Sunscreens, Electronics, and Plastic Bottles
Croatia Under Red Weather Alert: Heat Can Damage Medications, Sunscreens, Electronics, and Plastic Bottles
A heatwave hit Croatia on Thursday, July 30, 2026, bringing a red warning for the Rijeka region and orange warnings for southern Dalmatia, Zagreb, and Split regions, reported the State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ). Maximum daily temperatures range from 33 to 38 degrees Celsius, with the worst expected on Saturday, for which the DHMZ has issued a warning for the entire country due to dangerous or extremely dangerous weather.
In such conditions, the interior of a parked car becomes dangerous. When the outside temperature is 36 °C, after just ten minutes the cabin reaches 45 °C, after half an hour 55 °C, and within an hour the temperature exceeds 60 °C. Studies report measured values between 41 and 76 °C, and in some cases, the temperature inside the vehicle exceeds 70 °C, writes Press032 citing Jutarnji list.
Juraj Šebalj, one of Croatia's most experienced car enthusiasts, described his car-cooling ritual for Jutarnji list:
"The car should first be completely opened and briefly aired out; some drivers also lower the windows and open the trunk. I keep a towel on the seat to cushion contact with the scorching surface and absorb initial sweat. Everyone has their own ritual. I don't get into the car immediately. I let it air out by turning the air conditioning to maximum."
Šebalj also warns about directing the air conditioning: "If the AC blows directly on your joints, it can cause inflammatory effects, so I recommend directing the airflow into the cabin space, not at the driver and passengers."
The Croatian Automobile Club (HAK) similarly recommends first opening the doors and windows, then closing them and turning on the air conditioning, using interior air recirculation for a few minutes before reintroducing fresh air. Vents should be directed upward, not directly at passengers, and excessive cooling is not advisable, as suddenly stepping out of a chilled cabin into heat can cause weakness, dizziness, shivering, and heart palpitations.
Experts, as reported by Zagreb.info, urge drivers to remove four common items from their cars before the weekend, as they can become dangerous in high temperatures.
Water bottles, Plastic bottles left in a hot car can leach chemicals into the water, and under direct sunlight, the bottle can act like a magnifying glass and cause a fire.
Sunscreen, Its packaging becomes brittle; increased pressure inside the bottle can cause it to burst and spill, and exposure to heat reduces the cream's SPF effectiveness.
Medications, Many drugs, such as paracetamol, lose their efficacy at high temperatures even though the tablets may appear completely normal. Always check the recommended storage temperature on the instructions.
Electronic devices with batteries, Smartphones, laptops, and similar devices should not be exposed to temperatures above 40 °C. This can lead to accelerated battery drain, performance loss, and in extreme cases, even fire.
To avoid damage and safety risks, it is recommended to remove all such items from the vehicle whenever it is left in the sun.
