Heat Dome Arrives in the Balkans: Herzegovina Braces for a Scorching 43°C, Croatia for 42°C
Starting today, the hottest period will last until Friday, with tropical nights and an increased risk of wildfires.
Starting today, the hottest period will last until Friday, with tropical nights and an increased risk of wildfires.
The period from August 4 to 7, 2026, brings extreme heat to the Balkans, with meteorologists warning that this will be the hottest time of the year for the region. Herzegovina can expect daytime temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius, while in Croatia, particularly in its eastern parts, thermometers will climb to 42 degrees.
The main culprit behind this heatwave is a powerful high-pressure system, known as a heat dome, which has settled over central Europe. It is allowing exceptionally hot and dry air from North Africa to flow in, trapping the heat over a large part of the continent. The meteorological source Severe Weather, whose forecasts are carried by N1 television, notes that the core of this dome will shift east and southeast from midweek, directly affecting the Balkan countries.
The Federal Hydrometeorological Institute (FHMZ) forecasts a sunny morning with a moderate increase in cloudiness for today, Tuesday, August 4. Morning lows will range between 15 and 20°C, and up to 25°C in the south. Daytime highs will be between 34 and 40°C, with up to 42°C expected in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On Wednesday, August 5, the heat dome expands further. According to Severe Weather, the highest temperatures will spread to Croatia, Serbia, and Romania. FHMZ forecasts morning temperatures of 15 to 21°C for BiH, up to 26°C in the south, while daytime highs will range between 35 and 42°C.
The peak of the heatwave is expected on Thursday, August 6. Extreme heat will affect eastern Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, northern Serbia, Romania, and Ukraine. In the central part of the Pannonian Plain, temperatures could reach around 43 degrees, while the belt from Hungary to eastern Croatia and northern Serbia is expected to see up to 42 degrees. Bosnia and Herzegovina will remain very hot, with the possibility of local showers in the afternoon, and daytime temperatures staying in the 35 to 42°C range.
On Friday, August 7, the extreme heat will continue and spread across much of the Balkans, including Bulgaria and Greece.
Meteorologists warn that nights will offer little relief. In many urban areas, minimum temperatures will not drop below 22 to 26 degrees, adding to the physiological stress on the population. Prolonged exposure to such heat increases the risk of dehydration, exhaustion, and heatstroke, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses.
Beyond health risks, the dry conditions significantly raise the danger of wildfires across southern Europe and the western Balkans. According to medium-range forecasts, after this week, the existing heat dome over eastern Europe and the Balkans may weaken over the weekend, but by mid-August, a new strong high-pressure system could develop over western Europe, bringing another heatwave.
