The latest Croatia weather forecast brings yellow wind warnings for the Croatian coast after a potentially dangerous thunderstorm system moved across Dalmatia on Tuesday.
Split avoids the worst of the storm
Forecasters had warned of torrential rain, hail, strong winds and possible flash flooding, particularly in the wider Split area. Although the storm brought intense lightning, thunder and locally strong winds, its most severe part appears to have passed outside the most densely populated areas.
By Wednesday morning, emergency services had not reported major flooding, significant damage or serious disruption in the Split area. With the thunderstorm threat easing, attention has now shifted to strong bura winds expected along the Croatian coast..
Latest Croatia weather forecast
According to the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ), Wednesday will be mostly sunny, particularly along the Adriatic.
In inland Croatia, stronger cloud development during the afternoon could bring an isolated shower, but widespread rain is not expected. Light to moderate northerly and northwesterly winds will blow inland.
Along the coast, moderate to strong bura is expected, with locally storm-force gusts below Mount Velebit. During the afternoon, the wind will turn northwesterly in places, particularly around the Dalmatian islands.
Maximum daytime temperatures will generally range from 25 to 30 °C, with slightly lower values in mountainous areas.
Yellow wind warnings for the entire coast
DHMZ has issued yellow wind warnings for the entire Croatian coast on Wednesday. Gusts of between 65 and 85 km/h are expected in many coastal areas, while the Velebit Channel could see gusts of up to 110 km/h.
The agency warns that these wind speeds can produce waves that are dangerous for smaller vessels. Inexperienced sailors, especially those operating small boats, are advised to avoid sailing in these conditions and to follow the latest marine forecasts.
Some catamaran services could also be disrupted, so passengers travelling by sea should check traffic information and updates from ferry operators before departure.
Rougher conditions expected at sea
The marine forecast warns of bura and northwesterly wind gusts of 35 to 40 knots in parts of the Adriatic. Below Mount Velebit, bura gusts could reach 55 knots during the morning.
The sea will be slight to moderate, becoming rougher in parts of the open central and southern Adriatic. There is also a small possibility of an isolated thunderstorm, mainly during the morning.
Conditions should gradually become more stable as a ridge of high pressure strengthens over the Adriatic from the northwest.
More clouds inland on Thursday
According to the latest Croatia weather forecast, Thursday will be variably cloudy across the country.
Rain and local thunderstorms will be possible in inland areas, particularly during the afternoon, while the Adriatic will have more sunshine.
Morning temperatures will generally range from 10 to 15 °C inland and from 18 to 22 °C along the coast. Maximum daytime temperatures will reach between 26 and 31 °C, with lower values in mountainous regions.
A yellow wind warning remains in place for central and southern Dalmatia during the early morning hours, where gusts could reach around 75 km/h. The wind is expected to ease later in the day.
Wind warnings remain in place until Friday
The latest Croatia weather forecast indicates that strong bura could return on Friday, with yellow wind warnings remaining in place along the Croatian coast.
Forecast wind speeds are similar to those expected on Wednesday, with gusts of between 65 and 85 km/h in many coastal areas and potentially stronger winds in the Velebit Channel.
Travellers planning ferry or catamaran journeys should continue checking official traffic updates, as strong winds and rough seas can lead to delays or cancellations.
DHMZ has not issued any heatwave warnings for Croatia at this stage.
Cooler temperatures expected across Croatia and the Balkans
A broader European analysis by Severe Weather Europe points to a noticeable drop in temperatures across Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans during the second half of the week.
Cooler air moving southwards is expected to bring temperatures around 4 to 8 °C below average across parts of the region by Thursday. Croatia, Slovenia, northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia and Poland are expected to record some of the strongest temperature anomalies on Thursday.
The cooler pattern will also bring windier conditions from Wednesday through Saturday, while the strongest effects of the cold-air outbreak are expected farther south over the Balkans on Friday and Saturday.
Despite the change, the latest Croatia weather forecast from DHMZ puts daytime temperatures at around 25 to 31 °C on Wednesday and Thursday, meaning conditions will remain summery but noticeably more comfortable than during the recent heat.
Severe Weather Europe also warns that dry and windy conditions could keep the wildfire risk high despite the lower temperatures.
