Zagreb Hits 35.1°C at 8 PM, Split 28.5°C
The State Hydrometeorological Institute recorded an unusual reading for the evening hours, while Europe faces energy challenges due to extreme heat and drought.
The State Hydrometeorological Institute recorded an unusual reading for the evening hours, while Europe faces energy challenges due to extreme heat and drought.
The heatwave that has been gripping Croatia for days brought a reading last night that best illustrates its intensity. According to official measurements by the State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ), Zagreb recorded 35.1 degrees Celsius at 8 PM. At the same time, in Split, at the foot of Marjan, the air temperature was a noticeably more pleasant 28.5 degrees Celsius, as reported by Ivan Šolić for Slobodna Dalmacija.
For those hoping for at least a brief respite, the news is not encouraging. Although there is no end in sight for the heatwave, a glimmer of hope comes from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Their models for Thursday and Friday, and especially Saturday, indicate the possibility of local summer showers, mainly in the interior of Dalmatia.
However, experts warn that these rains would be merely symbolic, insufficient to correct the negative precipitation balance and halt the drought, but enough for a brief local cooldown. The collective question echoing through Dalmatia, "When will it rain?", remains without a concrete and abundant answer. No serious cyclones that would bring a significant weather change are in sight.
Slightly better news comes for the continental part of the country. There, a final cooldown is expected on Friday and over the weekend. The arrival of cooler air and precipitation after days of heatwave 'hell' could also trigger the DHMZ meteoalarm, so citizens are advised to follow official warnings.
However, even this cooldown will not significantly shake the persistent heatwave. Long-term forecasts, unfortunately, suggest that next week could bring even higher temperatures.
Extreme heat is not only affecting Croatia. In neighboring Hungary, Prime Minister Péter Magyar issued a dramatic appeal to the nation, asking citizens to use electricity rationally and wisely in the coming days. Concerns are also growing over news of nuclear reactor shutdowns in France and Romania, raising the question of whether Europe faces a new energy crisis as a direct consequence of severe droughts and the inability to cool facilities.
While the region and the continent count the costs of unprecedented heat, the situation in Croatia is being closely monitored. For those yearning for a real cooldown, the message is clear: it is not yet in sight.
