November 29, 2022 - The Croatian national weather service (DHMZ) reported today that the latest in the series of radar devices was installed and fully operational on the Pelješac peninsula, which makes the entire national area covered with such devices.

With the completion of the test operation of the radar device at the MRC Uljenje location on the Pelješac peninsula, radar data for the south of Croatia is available to the public, the DHMZ reported. It is the third, final modern meteorological radar on the Croatian part of the Adriatic. Its antenna and the dome were installed on October 19, 2022, after which the final equipment installations and test operation of the radar device began.

As of today, the C-band Doppler meteorological radar on the top of Uljenje on Pelješac started working, and thus for the first time in history the entire territory of Croatia, including the Croatian coast, sea and islands, is covered by radar measurements. A better understanding of the state of the atmosphere in southern Dalmatia is a long-standing wish of Croatian meteorologists, which was finally realized with the start of the operation of this radar device.

All users of DHMZ services can access radar measurements via their mobile devices or computers and thus not only better plan their daily activities, but also assess how far some dangerous weather system is from them and make a timely decision about their safety. Currently, 5 radar devices are in operation at the locations of MRC Gradište, MRC Bilogora, MRC Goli, MRC Debeljak and MRC Uljenje (or check out the composite image created by them all). By the time the entire project is finished, the radar at the location of MRC Puntijarka (on Sljeme, near Zagreb) will also be in operation.

The DHMZ shared the on their social networks, including the photos of the radar itself and the first composite image from the radars. See if you can see something else recently opened in Croatia in the photo of the radar dome!

Stižu nam podaci s juga!

Podaci s ? na Pelješcu dostupni su javnosti https://t.co/Z1KTuV0omL
Od danas cijela ?? i Jadransko more pokriveni su radarskim mjerenjima. #METMONIC #EUprojekt pic.twitter.com/BcLAw0wVjW

— DHMZ (@DHMZ_HR) November 29, 2022

The measurements from 5 meteorological oceanographic buoys anchored this summer along the Adriatic Sea and two altitude stations in Slavonia and Istria, and after the installation of sensors at more than 400 locations of ground stations, create a modern meteorological observation system. The project to modernize the meteorological monitoring network in the Republic of Croatia - METMONIC, implemented by DHMZ, will further improve the early warning system for extreme weather and hydrological phenomena and climatic conditions. With this, the Croatian weather service will provide additional support to the development of the economy, tourism, fishing and boating, as well as adaptation to climate change. The total estimated cost of the METMONIC project is HRK 343,914,506.50, of which 85% or HRK 292,327,330.52 is financed from EU funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion, while 15% of the national component in the amount of HRK 51,587,175.98 is co-financed The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund.

October 31, 2022 - After their visit to the cemeteries for the All Saints' Day, the people in Dalmatia can go straight to the beach and the sea this year, enjoying the warm weather.

This is a very rare occurrence in Dalmatia, with temperatures this high, both air and sea temperature. There are always those extremely brave and persistent individuals who swim year-round, but this year it's something else, Slobodna Dalmacija writes.

And it seems that the current warm weather is to continue well into November. These days, the sea temperature is 19° to 21° C along the coast, which is warm enough for a pleasant swim. Slavko Radilović, PhD, a forecaster of the State Hydrometeorological Institute in Split, says that the air temperatures of 24° to 25° degrees are here to stay for the upcoming days. 

People from the islands tell Slobodna reporters how they're picking their olives and going for a swim in the sea afterwords, which is something they've never experienced before. The forecaster Radilović confirms that the extreme situation is probably the result of global warming, which prolongs the period of relatively high temperatures all the way to September and October, so these weather conditions of the last few days are not strange either. The sea temperature goes up to 22 degrees because there is no wind, and as air temperatures get to 26 degrees, the sea can't even cool down. The high-pressure field has been creating frequent fogs in the last ten days, both in continental Croatia and in some regions by the sea, such as around Zadar.

The upcoming two days will not see any wind, and when there is no wind, there is nothing to bring cold air. When the northern wind, so-called bura appears, it will bring some cold air from the continent, only then will the sea cool down. However, the forecast is that before that happens, the southern wind will bring rain to the region. Looking more broadly, he says that this October fits perfectly into the ten-year period of global warming.

August 23, 2021 - This year's very hot summer will be interrupted this week by a few days of rain and thunderstorms, perhaps marking the beginning of a slow transition to lower temperatures as the weather in Croatia begins to change.

Despite still feeling the high temperatures throughout the country, it could be said that intolerable heat waves are a thing of the past. During June, July, and the first weeks of August, both locals and tourists had to endure frequent temperatures between 34 and 38 °C. Now, recent forecasts indicate that the weather in Croatia will be milder, with temperatures hardly exceeding 30 °C.

Also, the nights begin to be cooler, the mornings colder, and the sky begins to darken a little earlier than before.

Although the high temperatures attracted both Croatians and foreigners to take a dip in the Adriatic, as well as in the lakes and rivers, it is worth mentioning that they brought with them difficulties such as fires along the Croatian coast.

As reported by 24sata.hr, gradual cloud cover from the northwest with occasional rain and showers, which may be more pronounced locally. In the east of the country and especially in Dalmatia most of the day is partly sunny and mostly dry.

On the mainland, a moderate, in some places moderate and strong north and northeast wind will blow from time to time. The moderate south wind in the northern and part of the central Adriatic will turn into a moderate and strong bora, under Velebit and with storm surges.

The highest daily temperature from 23 °C in the western parts of the interior to 29 °C in the east, and in the Adriatic and in the interior of Dalmatia from 27 to 32 °C, is the forecast of the State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ) for Monday.

Today, a yellow meteorological alarm was issued for almost the whole of Croatia, except for the extreme south, while an orange alarm was issued due to the strong wind in the Velebit Channel.

Tomorrow will be changeable with sunny periods. Occasional rain, showers, and thunderstorms, especially in Dalmatia, in the morning in Slavonia.

Wind mostly weak north, moderate in the Adriatic, in the northern part, and strong bura with storm gusts mainly at the foot of Velebit, and in the south and northwest. Lowest temperatures from 12 to 17, at sea between 19 and 24 °C. The highest daily is from 19 to 24 °C, on the Adriatic between 26 and 31 °C.

If you want to learn more about the weather in Croatia, be sure to check out Total Croatia's guide here.

December 20, 2020 – The 13 winners of the incredibly popular World Meteorological Organization annual competition have just been announced, and two fine pieces of Croatia weather photography are among them. These spectacular images of Croatia weather photography show all 9 Croatian photographs which reached the final in 2020 and all 10 Croatian finalists who similarly stunned the global audience in 2019

Croatia weather photography: the two newly announced winners from the 2020 competition
Photographer: Sandro Puncet Photo taken: Losinj island

Photographer: Zrinka Balabanic Photo taken: Pag island

Thanks to its popularity as a tourist destination, lots of people are now used to seeing beautiful photos of Croatia. Although, the images they usually see are of idyllic beaches, cloudless skies, stunning nature and turquoise blue seas. But, as anyone who knows the country will tell you - and as these photos show - Croatia isn't always like that.

Croatia weather photography: the two newly announced runners-up from the 2020 competition
Photographer: Šime Barešić Photo taken: Drage, Pakostane

Photographer: Mislav Bilic Photo taken: Lapad Peninsula, Dubrovnik

Out of season, Croatia can experience vastly different weather conditions to those advertised in travel brochures and blogs. And, whenever there's a spectacular weather occurrence, usually there's a photographer out there, braving the elements, trying to capture it.

Over recent years, some of the best Croatia weather photography has featured in the annual competition organised by the World Meteorological Organization. 2020 has been no different.

The other five Croatian finalists from the 2020 competition
Photographer: Šime Barešić Photo taken: Drage, Pakostane

Photographer: Sandro Puncet Photo taken: Losinj island

Photographer: Zoran Stanko Photo taken: Geisler Alm, Dolomites, Italy

Photographer: Maja Kraljik Photo taken: Umag, Istria

Photographer: Igor Popovic Photo taken: Rijeka

The winners of this year's competition have just been announced and the two fantastic examples of Croatia weather photography within the top 13 will take their place in the 2021 World Meteorological Organization calendar.

The 10 Croatian finalists from the 2019 competition
Photographer: Danica Sičič Photo taken: Srobreč, Dalmatia

Photographer: Romeo Ibrišević Photo taken: Plitvice Lakes National Park

Photographer: Božan Štambuk Photo taken: Bundek park, Zagreb

Photographer: Miroslava Novak Photo taken: Pribislavec, Međimurje

As well as the two winners, two further examples of Croatia weather photography came in the runner-up category, of which there were 12 in total.

Photographer: Francesca Delbianco Photo taken: Zagreb

Photographer: Ivica Brlić Photo taken: Sava river, Davor, near Slavonski Brod

Photographer: Nataša Šafar Photo taken: Rečica, near Karlovac

Photographer: Romeo Ibrišević Photo taken: Plitvice Lakes National Park

Over 1000 photographs from all over the world were entered in the 2020 competition. The submissions were narrowed down to a final selection of 70 contenders. As TCN reported back at the start of October, no less than 9 examples of Croatia weather photography made it into the final 70, taken by 7 Croatian photographers.

Photographer: Danijel Palčić Photo taken: Pag island

Photographer: Aleksandar Gospic Photo taken: Ražanac

Croatia regularly punches well above its weight in the annual competition, as we can see from these 10 examples of incredible Croatia weather photography that were among the finalists in 2019.

All images courtesy World Meteorological Organisation

ZAGREB September 25, 2020 – The changeable weather in Croatia today is expected to continue for much of the weekend and is the strongest signifier yet that autumn has arrived

Residents of Zagreb today woke to the sounds of thunder and rainfall. It was not altogether much of a surprise. Partially cloudy skies and some rain had been predicted for the days leading up to the weekend. Enjoyably warm temperatures and clear, sunny skies on Thursday 24 September may have signalled a reprieve. However, the weather in Croatia today has taken a turn for the worse. So much so, that the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) have issued a weather warning.

The weather in Croatia today is being influenced by a cyclone that is making its way across northern Italy and is expected to rise north, further into continental Europe. Its consequences are a strong shift in air pressure.

© Robert Marinkovic

How does this affect the weather in Croatia today and what exactly are the weather warnings?

Rain is expected throughout Friday morning, with the likelihood of thunderstorms growing as the day continues. Temperatures in many parts of the country should still remain in the 20s.

The mountainous regions running inland down the length of the Croatian coast will see strong winds and heavy rain. Today is not a day for hiking in the high peaks of the Dinaric Alps. The specific warnings for the weather in Croatia today pertain to possible flooding. So great is the volume of expected rain that low-lying areas of inland Dalmatia and coastal Dalmatia could see some floods. Anyone currently sailing in Croatia would be best advised to stay ashore today. The seas will be choppy and the winds strong.

The changeable weather is sadly expected to continue for much of the weekend and is the strongest signifier yet that autumn has arrived in Croatia. On the highest peaks, some snow may even fall towards the tail end of the weekend. Although we can't promise that next week we will see the return of yesterday's glorious conditions, the weather is expected to stabilise on Monday after the passing of the cyclone and a more even air pressure returns. You can look to put on your hiking boots and unfurl your sails again soon enough.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

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If you're in Dalmatia and have said this is the "coldest May of your life", you’re absolutely right - and thanks to official data measured at the DHMZ Split Marjan station, your claim can be confirmed. 

Namely, Dalmacija Danas reports that the first 13 days of May had an average air temperature of 14.6°C, while the average from 1948 to 2018 was 19.1°C. At the moment, we are experiencing temperatures in Dalmatia 4.5°C cooler than the monthly average, which is an extreme temperature deviation. 

Of course, a lot of this can change by the end of the month, and it is certain that the second part of the month will not be as cold as the first. However, there are also no significant positive deviations - on the contrary, temperatures will be around the average or even a little cooler.

Let's note that until now, the official coldest May was recorded in 1991 with an average temperature of 15.6°C.

The sea temperatures are exceptionally low for this part of the year, too, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 17°C in the Dubrovnik area.

The cold weather continues throughout the country on Tuesday, especially on the continent where the average air temperature is in the single digits. Velika Duvjakuša on Dinara and Zavižan on Velebit are the coldest in the country, measuring 3 degrees Celsius. 

There was even snow in the higher areas of Dinara and Kamešnica early Tuesday morning. Below is the snowfall on Dinara before dawn.

The wind has been anything but friendly, too, Dalmacija Danas reports. On Monday, the northwestern part of the country was hit by powerful winds, and Zagreb specifically saw speeds up to 101 km/h which caused a lot of damage. 

Still, the strongest wind blew in the northern Adriatic, and the peak happened on Monday. The Pag bridge officially measured strokes of 54.6 km/h, which is 197 km/h! In Prizna, in the channel below Velebit, the wind reached 188 km/h. The entire Velebit, including the area of Maslenica, recorded mighty winds all Monday.

At Rijeka airport, the strongest wind reached 106 km/h. This time around the bura is weaker in Dalmatia, however not by much. In Makarska, winds reached 94 km/h and in Split 97 km/h. In Zrnovica, the bura destroyed trees and electric poles and local firefighters also intervened.

The winds are expected to end entirely on Wednesday.

Check out the hurricane bura below captured by the Crometeo team on Pag, Žigljen and Starigrad Paklenica. 

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