After an unstable Sunday with showers and thunderstorms, Croatia enters a new period of intense heat from July 29. RTL meteorologist Dorian Ribarić announces the start of a new heatwave.
According to meteorologists' forecasts, starting Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Croatia will experience a new heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 35°C in many parts of the country. Both local experts and Norway's Yr.no predict that, after a brief deterioration marking Sunday, the week will bring gradual stabilization followed by a significant rise in temperatures.
Today, Sunday, July 26, the weather will be changeable and unstable, with frequent showers and thunderstorms. Rain first arrived in the northern Adriatic and mountainous regions, then will spread to the rest of the country. On the coast and near the sea, locally stronger downpours with gusty winds are possible, and hail in some places. Maximum daily temperatures will mostly range from 26 to 31°C. DHMZ has activated a warning for the Rijeka and Knin regions due to potential severe weather.
Monday, July 27, will be calmer. The forecast is partly sunny with variable cloudiness, with rain and showers still expected occasionally in the southern Adriatic and locally inland in the afternoon. On the mainland, a weak to moderate northwest wind will blow, while at sea the southerly wind will ease and turn to northwest. Temperatures will range between 27 and 32°C. Dorian Ribarić from RTL explains that the instability is caused by a small Mediterranean cyclone that will pass over Croatia on Sunday and weaken by Tuesday.
An important change follows from Tuesday, July 28, when stabilization begins, and from Wednesday, July 29, meteorologists announce the start of a new heat wave. Ribarić told RTL:
"From Tuesday, a true stabilization of the weather, which will also be reflected in the daily wind circulation. In the morning, a light breeze from the east; during the day, a sea breeze. Nights will get warmer, days hot, soon very hot, so from Wednesday we expect the start of a new heat wave."
According to forecasts, both Zagreb and Split will feel a significant rise in temperatures in the second half of the week. In Split, the mercury could climb to 37°C by the end of the week, with very warm nights with temperatures from 24 to 26°C. Similar conditions are expected in Zagreb, where from Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2, temperatures could reach 35 to 37°C.
Heat waves with temperatures above 35°C carry an increased health risk, especially for the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses. In such conditions, health institutions recommend avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, adequate fluid intake, and adjusting physical activities. Nighttime temperatures between 24 and 26°C, as expected along the coast, further hinder the body's recovery because it doesn't have enough time to cool down.
