If You Can, Stay in the Shade!
Croatia is in the grip of a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 39°C and red warnings issued for several regions. The worst will be midweek.
Croatia is in the grip of a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 39°C and red warnings issued for several regions. The worst will be midweek.
Croatia is under the influence of a powerful heatwave that will mark the entire first week of August. The State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ) has forecast "sunny, hot, and very hot" weather for Monday, with maximum daily temperatures ranging from 33 to 38°C.
Due to the extreme heat, numerous warnings have been issued. Already on Monday, the Zagreb and Rijeka regions are under a red alert, and by Wednesday, the red warning will extend to the Osijek, Karlovac, and Knin regions.
The morning of August 3, 2026, dawned with mostly clear skies but dramatic temperature differences across the country. While Senj recorded a balmy 28.7°C at 7 a.m., Crni Lug in Risnjak National Park saw just 11°C with 100% relative humidity. The temperature difference between these two locations was nearly 18 degrees.
On the Adriatic, morning temperatures were exceptionally high: Lastovo at 28, Rijeka at 27.6, Mali Lošinj at 27.2, and Split's Marjan at 26.7 degrees. In contrast, the mountainous regions were noticeably cooler-Otočac at 13.6, Ličko Lešće at 13.8, and Plitvice Lakes at 15.5 degrees.
According to DHMZ, Tuesday will also be sunny and very hot, with maximum daily temperatures from 33 to 38°C. Overnight lows on the mainland will range from 15 to 20°C, and on the Adriatic between 21 and 26°C. There is a slight chance of an afternoon shower in Gorski Kotar and inland Dalmatia.
Meteorologist Katarina Katušić told HRT: "Although it will remain predominantly sunny, the possibility of an afternoon shower cannot be ruled out in inland Dalmatia and Gorski Kotar, and on Thursday elsewhere. A few isolated showers are also possible in the interior of Istria in the coming days, while the coast itself will be sunny and dry. With a gradual rise in temperature, days are getting hotter and nights warmer."
The situation will be particularly challenging in Croatia's far south. In inland Dalmatia and the deep south, temperatures will reach up to 39 degrees. Along the coast and on the islands, it will be somewhat more bearable, with temperatures between 33 and 35 degrees, and around 31 degrees on the more remote islands. A moderate southwest wind will bring at least some relief from the mugginess during the afternoon.
In Istria, maximum daily temperatures will range from 34 to 37 degrees, while in the interior of the peninsula, afternoon cloud development is expected with a slight chance of a local shower.
According to information from 035portal, Brod-Posavina County can expect continued very stable and very warm weather in the week from August 3 to 9. Daytime temperatures will range between 34 and 37 degrees Celsius, with relatively warm mornings and minimum temperatures from 19 to 23 degrees.
On Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders, August 5, there may be a slight increase in cloud cover and brief local showers, but temperatures will still be around 34 to 36°C. From Thursday to Sunday, true summer weather is expected with maximum temperatures above 35 degrees, and nights will offer little relief-temperatures will remain above 25 degrees even after sunset, especially in urban areas.
Meteorologists warn that the UV index will be very high. It is recommended to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and to drink plenty of fluids. Extra caution is advised for the elderly, chronic patients, and young children. Due to the ongoing dry spell, the risk of outdoor fires is also elevated.
Relief may only arrive towards the weekend, when instability is expected that could bring slightly lower temperatures, at least inland. They will still mostly be above 30 degrees, but more typical for this time of year. According to current forecast models, no significant cooling is in sight even after August 9.
