Heat Wave in Croatia Continues: Warnings for the Adriatic Coast and Safety Guidelines for Tourists

Warning Levels and Affected Regions

This week, temperatures in Croatia range between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius. Special attention is required in coastal regions in the coming days, Güttler warned. "Die hohen Temperaturen werden auf dem Festland anhalten," he said. On the mainland and in heavily frequented tourist cities along the Adriatic, a continued burden from high temperatures and tropical nights is to be expected.

Güttler also pointed to the broader climatic context: "Das Jahr 2023 war das bislang wärmste seit Anfang der globalen Temperaturaufzeichnungen. Verantwortlich dafür sind sowohl die langfristige Erwärmung infolge des Klimawandels als auch das Naturphänomen El Niño." He also forecast an above-average warm summer for Croatia and did not rule out that 2026 and 2027 could also rank among the warmest years since records began.

The heat is also clearly felt in neighbouring countries. In Austria, temperatures of up to 36 degrees Celsius, including tropical nights, are expected through the end of the week. In Italy, forecasts predict widespread highs of up to 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days. The heat wave thus affects large parts of the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans.

Health Authority Safety Guidelines

The Croatian health authority has published concrete safety guidelines to minimise health risks. These include drinking two to three litres of fluids per day, more accordingly during physical exertion, as well as wearing light clothing made of breathable fabrics such as linen, cotton, or silk. Direct sun exposure should be avoided between 10:00 and 17:00, in some advisories between 11:00 and 17:00, and physical activities should be shifted to the cooler morning or evening hours.

In apartments and holiday accommodations without air conditioning, the authority recommends keeping windows closed during the day and rooms darkened in order to keep indoor temperatures as low as possible. The country's civil protection agency is explicitly calling on citizens and tourists to follow the health authority's instructions and to act prudently during the extreme heat.

Recognising Heat Stroke and First Aid

As warning signs of possible heat stroke, the health authority lists headaches, dizziness, malaise, agitation, confusion, reddened, warm, and dry skin, rapid pulse, a body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius, as well as loss of consciousness. Affected individuals should be moved immediately into the shade or to a cooler place, and emergency services should be called. The authority issues an especially urgent warning against leaving children or animals in parked vehicles, as these can heat up strongly within a very short time.

Climatic Context and Outlook

Güttler pointed out that summer in Croatia typically brings two types of weather phenomena: "Der Sommer bringt uns meist zwei Arten von Phänomenen: langanhaltende Hitzewellen und kurzfristige, aber heftige Wetterereignisse, die die Temperatur vorübergehend senken und mehr Niederschlag bringen können." While a temporary cooling is thus possible, the fundamental heat burden remains high.

Given the ongoing warning situation and the temperatures forecast for the coming days, authorities and the weather service advise avoiding outdoor stays during midday hours, drinking sufficient fluids, and taking the local warnings seriously. Older people, families with children, and travellers who have currently chosen Croatia as a holiday destination are particularly called upon to observe the guidelines.

The European Union and its member states have repeatedly pointed out in recent years the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves in the Mediterranean region. Güttler's statements about the record year 2023 and about possible further records in 2026 and 2027 also underscore the importance of the issue.

Overall, the situation in Croatia remains tense: the Yellow and Orange warning levels remain in effect for now, and according to current forecasts, any noticeable relief is not in sight until at least next week.