Highest Severe Weather Warning Level Issued for the Adriatic – Meteorologists Expect Supercells and Hail up to 15 Centimeters

Main Focus in Croatia and Italy

In Croatia, the most violent storms are expected in the Split region. Stormy winds, heavy rain, and hail are forecast for the late afternoon and evening. In Italy, the strongest thunderstorms are concentrating over Emilia-Romagna, the Marche, and the Adriatic coast up into northern Apulia. According to the forecast, the thunderstorms are expected to intensify further during the afternoon and move southeastward, primarily between Romagna and the Marche.

According to Italian meteorologists, the hailstones can be medium to large, that is, between six and ten centimeters in diameter. In isolated cases, giant hailstones with a diameter of ten to fifteen centimeters are possible. Over the Adriatic, the models also calculate wind speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour. This is accompanied by severe storm gusts, heavy rain, and very large hail.

Red Warning Level in Several Countries

The warnings cover Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina. The highest, red warning level applies to Sardinia, Sicily, the southern regions of Italy, as well as to Serbia and Kosovo. The most severely affected area begins on the Italian side south of Chioggia and includes tourist destinations such as Rimini, Pesaro, and Ancona. The risk of severe weather is also significantly elevated along the Croatian Adriatic coast from Istria to Dalmatia.

Already on Monday, 20 July 2026, the promenade of a popular Croatian holiday resort had been flooded within seconds. At the same time, temperatures of up to 37 degrees Celsius were recorded in southern Croatia and Italy. On Tuesday, a violent hailstorm then swept across Croatia, with hailstones reaching the size of golf balls. For Tuesday, storm gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour, thunderstorms, and heavy rain are forecast, which are also expected to affect southern Croatia.

High Danger at Sea and on Land

According to the authorities, the situation at sea is particularly dangerous. In addition, some beaches in the Medulin region have been closed due to a pipe burst during construction work. Most recently, meteotsunamis in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic had caused chaos, and in recent days numerous sailing boats had run aground. "Bereits in den vergangenen Tagen kam es zu zahlreichen Strandungen von Segelbooten", it was stated in this regard.

The authorities are responding with clear appeals to the population and holidaymakers. "Es wird dringend davon abgeraten, am Dienstag überhaupt noch in See zu stechen", the responsible agencies warn. On land, too: "Lebensgefahr für Segler und Touristen". The Croatian meteorological service is directing its warning primarily at inexperienced tourists and sailors.

In general, the authorities advise closely following the official weather forecasts, securing objects on balconies, and not staying outdoors. Holidaymakers and residents are urgently asked to follow the official weather forecasts, secure objects on balconies, and not stay outdoors. According to forecasts, no easing of the situation is in sight on Tuesday.

The warnings remain in effect in many areas until the early morning hours of Wednesday. "Die Warnungen bleiben für viele Gebiete bis in die Morgenstunden des Mittwoch aufrecht", the meteorologists announced. As a result, the Adriatic and Mediterranean region, one of Europe's most popular summer travel destinations, remains a risk area at least until midweek.

At the same time, the travel industry is reporting a significant drop in visitor numbers in Croatia, attributed to massive price increases. The severe weather situation is thus aggravating the already tense situation in the regional tourism industry.

Against this backdrop, the responsible authorities are calling for careful planning of trips to the affected regions, obtaining information about current warnings on site, and consistently following the instructions of local authorities.