Croatia braces for first heatwave of the summer

Croatia

The first proper heatwave of the summer is arriving in Croatia.

The heat begins today, with temperatures in central Dalmatia reaching up to 31°C.

Tomorrow, temperatures will rise to 33°C, and the nights will remain warm. The peak of the heatwave is expected by the end of the week when temperatures in some parts will reach up to 37°C.

Heatwave Warning

The State Meteorological Institute has issued a heatwave warning. The first day covered by the warning is Thursday.

Moderate danger is expected across the country, except for the wider Gospić region.

However, conditions will worsen on Friday, with a severe heatwave warning for most of Croatia. Only the wider Gospić, Knin, and Rijeka regions will have a moderate warning.

Severe Weather has forecasted high temperatures and the heat dome effect.

Temperatures are expected to rise to the mid-to-high 30s in many countries and could potentially exceed 40°C for the first time this summer.

The most significant temperature anomalies are predicted for central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula, according to Severe Weather.

This week, temperatures in central Europe, the Balkans, and eastern Europe are forecasted to range from the mid-30s to over 40°C.

Zagreb forecast (Yr.no)

The primary cause of the impending heatwave is a stable high-altitude pattern known as a heat dome, Index.hr reported.

What is a Heat Dome?

As N1 meteorologist Bojan Lipovšćak explained, a heat dome is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when there is a significant and prolonged increase in air temperature over a specific area. The dome is a stationary high-pressure region that traps warm air over an area.

The weather characteristics associated with a heat dome are also those of a heatwave – high temperatures, dry conditions, and longevity.

The distribution of warm and cold air within the heat dome is such that warm air accumulates in the lower layers of the atmosphere, typically near the ground, while cold air is pushed upwards.

Dubrovnik

The cold air at the top of the dome moves clockwise – anticlonically – and descends towards the ground, where it is compressed, increasing in pressure and temperature. This forms a cap of warm air at the top of the heat dome (around 200 hPa or above 12,000 m).