Meteorologists Reveal When the Scorching Heat Will Ease
Croatia faces another heatwave with temperatures near 40°C, but medium-range forecasts hint at relief from mid-month.
Croatia faces another heatwave with temperatures near 40°C, but medium-range forecasts hint at relief from mid-month.
Croatia is set to experience another pronounced heatwave in the coming days, with temperatures in some regions again approaching 40°C. However, current medium-range forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and data from the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) indicate a gradual easing of the heat from mid-August, as reported by Lika Online.
The hottest part of the period is expected at the beginning and middle of next week. Red alerts are currently in effect for the Split area due to extremely high temperatures, with daytime values expected to range from 36 to as high as 38°C, accompanied by very warm nights. Inland regions will also be exceptionally hot; for example, Gospić is expected to see temperatures around 35 to 36°C at the start of the week.
According to current forecasts, the first signs of a gradual easing of the heat could appear from August 13-14, 2026. This does not, however, indicate a sudden change in weather or the arrival of autumn-like temperatures. In Split, after temperatures peak at approximately 38°C, a gradual decline to 35°C is expected, followed by a drop to 32-33°C over the weekend.
A similar signal is visible in Lika. After Gospić reaches 36°C on Monday, temperatures could fall to around 31-32°C by midweek, while forecasts for August 15-17, 2026, currently predict values of 29-30°C. Nighttime temperatures would remain more comfortable, generally ranging between 12 and 15°C.
Some longer-range models also signal a change in the second half of the month, but such forecasts should be interpreted with caution. The ECMWF emphasizes that forecasts for several weeks ahead mainly indicate the probability of a particular weather pattern and deviations from the norm, rather than exact conditions for a specific city or day. Therefore, claims about an exact date when the weather will completely change across Croatia should currently be taken with a grain of salt.
Based on currently available forecasts, we can conclude that we are in for several more very hot days before any potential relief. After mid-August, the chances of more pleasant temperatures increase, especially inland, while summer heat along the coast may persist longer. The DHMZ has already announced in its seasonal forecast for summer 2026 a high probability of an above-average warm summer, so even a possible drop in temperatures mid-month does not necessarily mean the end of summer heat.
