Croatia braces for snow as cold front from Russia moves in

Croatia is set to experience extreme weather conditions over the coming days, with strong winds, heavy rain, and snowfall expected across the country.

This sudden cold front, originating from Russia, will briefly impact the region before moving on by the middle of the month.

Meteorologists warn that parts of Croatia could experience temperatures as low as -15°C in the mountains and -8°C inland.

The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) has issued a red alert for Friday and Saturday on the western coast of Istria and Kvarner due to powerful winds, with gusts reaching up to 160 km/h, Istramet says.

A high-risk orange alert has been issued for the northern Adriatic and mountainous regions, while a yellow warning is in effect for the rest of the Adriatic and Karlovac due to snowfall.

As temperatures drop, snowfall is expected in the interior, especially in Gorski Kotar and Lika, where a snow cover of 10 to 40 cm could accumulate, HRT reports.

Central Croatia may also see a thinner snow cover and snow is also forecast in the capital Zagreb.

Strong winds will dominate the weather over the next few days, with bura winds strengthening in the north and reaching storm and hurricane-force levels under Velebit.

Meanwhile, the southern Adriatic will experience strong jugo winds. Inland temperatures will range between 0 and 6°C, while on the coast, they will vary from 6 to 13°C.

Residents are advised to take necessary precautions, particularly in areas under red and orange alerts, as severe weather could cause travel disruptions and hazardous conditions. Stay updated with local forecasts and follow safety recommendations.