Severe thunderstorms sweep across Croatia and Italy – hurricane-force gusts and hail expected

Forecast by the DHMZ weather service

The Croatian meteorological service DHMZ is now warning urgently: "Es werden stürmisches Wetter und Windböen auf See mit Orkanstärken von bis zu 120 km/h erwartet. In den letzten Tagen kam es bereits zu zahlreichen Strandungen von Segelbooten und ähnlichen Vorkommnissen und die Lage könnte sich speziell in den Abendstunden deutlich verschärfen." In addition to Croatia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia are also affected by high warning levels.

For the Split region, Dalmatia, and other parts of the Croatian Adriatic coast, the highest warning level is in effect on Tuesday between 4 p.m. and midnight. Meteorologists explained: "Dieses heutige Unwetter zieht fast denselben Weg wie das gestrige. Die orange Warnstufe bedeutet jedoch, dass lokal extreme und gefährliche Wetterereignisse möglich sind."

Impacts in Italy and along the Adriatic

The greatest danger in Italy is also expected on Tuesday between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. According to the experts, thunderstorm fronts may spread toward the eastern Adriatic coast and continue to affect Croatia. Authorities are advising residents and tourists not to stay near the coast and to bring sailboats into sheltered harbors.

The DHMZ experts also emphasize the uncertainty of the forecast: "Der genaue Verlauf und die Intensität der Gewitter hängen von der Entwicklung der Lage im Laufe des Tages ab." Given the dynamic situation, rescue services and weather services advise closely monitoring warnings via app or radio and being able to reach a shelter at any time when outdoors.

In the Rovinj area on the Istrian west coast, severe hailstorms had recently occurred as well. The weather app "Neverin" described: "Zu einem Moment haben wir sogar 100.000 Blitze über unserem Gebiet gezählt!" In the hinterland around Milan on Monday, violent thunderstorms with large hail also occurred, causing streets and basements to flood.

Advice for vacationers and residents

Civil protection in Croatia and Italy prepared on Tuesday morning for possible evacuations and rescue operations. Fire brigades were put on alert, and boats were secured at several Adriatic ports. Authorities recommend securing loose objects on balconies and terraces and avoiding car trips during the peak periods of the storm.

Vacationers in the affected regions were also asked to follow the instructions of their hotel and campsite operators and to leave beach sections immediately when a thunderstorm front approaches. Anyone out at sea should head to the nearest harbor as quickly as possible.

Outlook for the coming hours

For the night into Wednesday, the models expect gradually decreasing thunderstorm activity. However, according to DHMZ, individual showers and stormy gusts remain possible. On Wednesday itself, the situation is expected to gradually calm down according to initial forecasts, while temperatures in Dalmatia will remain high.