Heat Wave to Ease Only by the Weekend
Tuesday brings temperatures up to 40 degrees in parts of Dalmatia, while local showers are expected inland. Real relief, according to current forecasts, arrives only early next week.
Tuesday brings temperatures up to 40 degrees in parts of Dalmatia, while local showers are expected inland. Real relief, according to current forecasts, arrives only early next week.
The heatwave gripping Croatia shows no signs of letting up. Today, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, promises to be another extremely hot day, with temperatures in some parts of the country reaching up to 40 degrees. Although most of the day will be sunny, instability is expected in the interior during the afternoon.
According to data from the State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ), the highest temperatures are expected in Dalmatia. The mercury will range between 34 and 39°C, and in the region's interior, it could hit 40°C. The night brought no respite; in Dubrovnik, temperatures did not drop below 27 degrees.
In the far south of Croatia, the day will also be sunny and hot to very hot. Maximum daytime temperatures will range from 33 to 36°C, reaching up to 39°C inland. The sea will be slight to moderate.
The rest of the country won't fare much better. Eastern Croatia will see sunny weather with maximum daytime temperatures between 36 and 38°C. Central Croatia will also be very hot, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 37°C. In the afternoon, these areas, as well as Zagorje and Međimurje near the Slovenian border, can expect moderate cloud development and a slight chance of a passing shower.
A higher likelihood of showers exists in Gorski Kotar and the interior of Istria. There is also a slight chance on the northern Adriatic, mainly in the Rijeka area. Forecaster Tea Blažević told N1 that transient showers will be accompanied by thunderstorms, especially in the west of the country and the northern Adriatic.
A moderate bura wind will blow across the Adriatic, becoming strong and gusty at the foot of Velebit, especially on Wednesday and Thursday. According to the forecast by Dunja Plačko-Vršnak, B.Sc. from DHMZ, the bura will weaken on Friday, when the heat will also ease slightly. DHMZ has issued a yellow warning for the Velebit Channel due to strong winds.
"The heat inland will ease somewhat in the coming days, with mostly sunny weather and a weak to moderate northeast wind. There is a slight chance of a passing shower, primarily in the interior of Dalmatia. On the Adriatic, it will be hot and very hot, with clear skies and a moderate bura, strong and gusty at the foot of Velebit, especially on Wednesday and Thursday. The bura will weaken on Friday, and the heat will also ease," Plačko-Vršnak forecast for HRT.
Due to extremely high temperatures, DHMZ has issued the highest level of warning. A red warning is in effect for the Rijeka, Split, Knin, and Dubrovnik regions, while an orange warning has been activated for the Osijek, Zagreb, Karlovac, and Gospić regions. This means weather conditions are potentially hazardous to health, and citizens are advised to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
Although the heat will ease slightly by the end of the week, stable, sunny, and very warm weather will persist. The second half of the week will be mostly dry, sunny, and still very hot. A more significant change in weather, according to current forecast models, is only expected early next week. At that time, a more noticeable cooling could occur, with a sharp drop in temperatures and, in some places, heavier precipitation. Whether this forecast will materialize will become clearer in the coming days.
