February 3, 2022 - It has been exactly 10 years since we experienced the unforgettable snow day in Split, thanks to Cyclone Gabor in February 2012. A look at the best (and worst) moments. 

Thanks to the legendary Cyclone Gabor, February 2012 will be remembered in Croatian meteorological history. This cyclone was chosen as the largest meteorological event in Croatia in the last 10 years by the Crometeo team.

And now, exactly 10 years have passed since the winter storm of the century in Split and Dalmatia, reports Dalmacija Danas.

The meteorological scenario that day read:

After a short calming of the weather on the night of February 2, Dalmatia was hit by precipitation brought by the upcoming cyclone. Cyclone Gabor brought heavy snow to northern and most of central Dalmatia (it did not fall only in Makarska and the surrounding area), and the situation was complicated in the interior of Dalmatia. On the morning of February 3, Metković measured 27 cm of snow, Ploče 14 cm, Šibenik 10 cm, and Split 8 cm. With the snowstorm in Split, the temperature was -5°C in the morning, and in Šibenik -6°C. The snow continued to fall throughout the day, so at 7 pm Šibenik measured 20 cm of snow, Split and Ploče 14 cm, and Zadar 7 cm.

In consultation with the Protection and Rescue Headquarters, and due to the endangered safety of pedestrians and drivers due to winter conditions, the Mayor of Split Željko Kerum declared it a non-working day ("snow day") for kindergartens and schools in Split, as well as for employees of the city administration and city companies, except for those services that are necessary to control winter conditions.

After the snowstorm, on the night of February 3-4 and during February 4, icy rain fell in central Dalmatia, which brought additional problems. By the end of Saturday, February 4, the rain turned to snow again, and in the evening, Split measured the historic 25 cm of snow, which broke the previous record of 21 cm from January 1979.

Due to the adverse weather, County Prefect Ante Sanader declared a state of emergency in Split-Dalmatia County on February 4, and a natural disaster was declared in Šibenik-Knin County. From February 3-4, icy rain also fell on Pelješac. As a result, nearly 1,000 people were left without electricity, water, and telephone connections, and significant damage was done.

The Cyclone Gabor snowstorm was accompanied by a severe cold that intensified day by day. On Friday, February 3, at 9 pm in Zavižan, with an air temperature of -22 ° C and a stormy east wind of 22 m / s (79.2 km / h), the real cold feel was -41°C. A day later, the highest daily temperature in Zavižan was -20.8°C. In the history of meteorological measurements on Zavižan (since 1954), lower values of the highest daily temperature were measured in just two days.

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A sudden turn of events in Dalmatia on the weather front - time to don your winter coats!

Split sees snow fall from the sky this afternoon, making it the first time the city has seen snow since the winter 2013.