After a prolonged drought and high temperatures, a cold front on Monday will bring rain, thunderstorms, hail, and cooler weather. Locally, heavier downpours with severe storms are possible, and waterspouts may occur at sea.
After a prolonged period of drought and high temperatures, the long-awaited rainfall is finally set to arrive on Monday, August 17, 2026. According to meteorologist Dunja Plačko-Vršnak, B.Sc. from the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ), a cold front will bring significant cloud cover from the west, with frequent rain, and locally heavier downpours accompanied by thunderstorms, severe storms, hail, and a drop in temperature. Waterspouts are also possible at sea.
Gradual cloud cover will affect the northern Adriatic and Gorski Kotar as early as the morning. Rain is expected during the afternoon and evening, often in the form of showers accompanied by thunderstorms. Local severe weather with thunderstorms is possible, and hail may occur in some areas. The wind will be moderate, coming from the southwest and south, with occasional gale-force gusts. The highest temperatures in mountainous areas will range from 27 to 30 °C, while on the coast they will be between 29 and 32 °C.
An orange weather alert has been issued for the Rijeka region for Monday. In the evening hours, in Istria, Kvarner, the islands, and the Velebit Channel, there is a possibility of severe thunderstorms that could cause significant damage. The DHMZ warns of potential damage to property and trees, as well as local flash floods, gale-force wind gusts, and hail. Additionally, the DHMZ notes that outdoor activities and traffic may be disrupted.
After a mostly sunny morning, cloud cover will gradually increase in the central Adriatic and the interior of Dalmatia. Local showers and thunderstorms, which could be more intense, are most likely to arrive toward the evening and during the night, accompanied by strong winds that will suddenly and temporarily shift from the southwest to the northwest. The sea will be moderate to rough. Morning temperatures are expected to be between 22 and 24 °C, in the Zagora region from 17 to 19 °C, and during the day it will be hot, reaching 32 to 34 °C.
In the south of Croatia, it will be mostly sunny and hot, with a maximum temperature of 33 degrees Celsius, and an increase in cloud cover is expected in the evening and night. The wind will be light to moderate from the south, with a southwest wind blowing in the afternoon.
In the east of Croatia, cloud cover is expected to increase in the afternoon. Toward evening and during the night, especially in western Slavonia, local showers and thunderstorms are expected, accompanied by strong winds. The lowest morning temperatures will be between 14 and 18 °C, with daytime highs from 32 to 34 °C. During the morning, cloud cover will also affect central Croatia, and toward evening the likelihood of local showers and thunderstorms increases, which may be more intense in some places and accompanied by strong winds. Morning temperatures will be between 14 and 18 °C, and during the day from 29 to 31 °C.
Real relief on the mainland arrives on Tuesday, with variable cloud cover, cooler temperatures, and scattered rain, mainly in the morning. In the afternoon, there is a possibility of showers. Wednesday will be sunnier, while Thursday will be cloudier and warmer again. On the Adriatic, Tuesday will also be changeable, especially in Dalmatia, where local showers are expected. Wednesday will be mostly sunny, and on Thursday the northern part will again be more unstable with showers. The bura wind will begin to blow, and from Wednesday the jugo will return.
