Air quality forecast now available – a first for Croatia

(Image: DHMZ)

A three-day air quality forecast for Croatia is now accessible to the public for the first time via the official website of the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ).

As DHMZ said, this service will provides valuable information on air quality for the current day and the following two days in Croatia.

“It helps citizens plan outdoor activities and make informed decisions to protect their health and the well-being of their loved ones,” DHMZ said.

The forecast predicts concentrations of four key pollutants that significantly impact public health: fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm and 10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ground-level ozone (O3).

By selecting a specific pollutant for a given day, users can view a map of Croatia displaying pollutant concentrations within clearly marked zones and agglomerations.

Air quality levels are colour-coded, ranging from “Good” to “Extremely Poor,” with each forecast level aligned with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). The forecasts are updated daily.

This three-day forecast is the result of the ATMOSYS air quality modelling system (LIFE+), tailored specifically for Croatia through the EU-funded AIRQ project, which expanded and modernised the national air quality monitoring network.

Air quality levels for each pollutant are based on predicted concentrations, calculated as the daily average for PM2.5, PM10, and NO2, and the maximum eight-hour average for O3.

Air quality levels are classified on a scale from zero (0) to ten (10):

• Good – 0

• Acceptable – 2

• Moderate – 4

• Poor – 6

• Very Poor – 8

• Extremely Poor – 10

These classifications are paired with WHO recommendations for both the general population and sensitive groups, such as children and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions. The guidelines are based on scientific studies of the health impacts of air pollution levels.

This initiative marks a significant step towards protecting public health, meeting European Union standards, and enhancing transparency by providing open and timely access to air quality data.

Citizens can use the three-day forecast to complement current measurements of pollutant concentrations, which are available on the Air Quality in Croatia portal managed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, as well as the DHMZ website.

Ivan Güttler: ATMOSYS System Elevates DHMZ to European Standards

Dr Ivan Güttler, Director-General of DHMZ, emphasised that the launch of this new service continues to enhance Croatia’s national system for monitoring and forecasting air quality.

“Alongside meteorological and hydrological forecasts, this represents the third domain of DHMZ forecasting activities. I am grateful to the DHMZ team for implementing the ATMOSYS system as part of the AIRQ project. Once again, the importance of European and national funding for strengthening our communities’ resilience to environmental challenges is evident, this time in air quality management.”

Dr Güttler added, “It is particularly gratifying that much of the methodology for this system is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. The Destination Earth project, focused on developing meteorological models using AI/ML, alongside the ATMOSYS system for air quality forecasting, places DHMZ among the leading national meteorological and hydrological services in Europe applying AI/ML in operational settings.”

Jadranka Škevin-Sović: AIRQ Project Ensures Effective Air Quality Management

Jadranka Škevin-Sović, Head of DHMZ’s Air Quality Sector and AIRQ Project Manager, highlighted that the air quality forecast is a key outcome of the AIRQ project, completed in September 2023. The project was co-funded by the EU (85%) and supplemented by national funds and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (15%).

She stated, “Given the growing challenges posed by air pollution, numerous global studies underscore the critical importance of air quality forecasting. By establishing a robust air quality modelling system and creating models to estimate ground-level pollutant concentrations, we enable more effective air quality management. This supports decision-making for air protection measures, aiming to reduce pollution-related illnesses, premature deaths, and associated healthcare costs.”

Darijo Brzoja: Air Quality Forecasts Empower Health-Conscious Decisions

Darijo Brzoja, Head of DHMZ’s Air Quality Modelling, Research, and Application Service, noted that air pollution remains one of Europe’s most pressing health and environmental challenges, particularly in urban areas where populations are exposed to higher pollutant concentrations.

“In Croatia, air quality is generally better along the Adriatic coast, where continuous ventilation prevents pollutants from accumulating. Conversely, inland regions face significant emissions from household heating during winter. Combined with unfavourable weather conditions, such as a stable atmosphere and lack of wind, pollution tends to settle in the lower atmosphere, affecting air we breathe.

“Our forecasting system anticipates these situations, enabling citizens to make informed health decisions,” Brzoja said. He encouraged the public to follow air quality forecasts and take small but impactful actions, such as reducing car usage and supporting clean air initiatives. “Together, we can raise awareness, reduce pollution, and protect the air we all breathe,” he concluded.

The three-day air quality forecast for Croatia is available here