The Croatian Meteoroglogical and Hyfrological Association (DHMZ) has issued a red warning for today for the Velebit Channel and southern Dalmatia due to a strong, in places, storm surge with the strongest wind gusts of 35 to 90 knots, and an orange warning for the Rijeka, Split and Dubrovnik regions, the western coast of Istria and Kvarner due to strong and very strong bura wind.
“Due to the stormy wind speed in combination with locally high waves, which have already or will be generated, the management of a vessel in these conditions requires great experience and adequately equipped vessels,” DHMZ said in a warning for Sunday, February 5.
“Expect and be prepared for gusty wind speeds combined with locally high waves that have already or will be generated. Operating a vessel in these conditions requires extensive experience and adequately equipped vessels. It is recommended that mariners without adequate experience seek a safe harbor before starting potentially dangerous wind and waves.
It is likely that many catamarans and ferries will not be sailing so if you are travelling, keep an eye on traffic information. Be aware of the dangers and pay attention and follow the latest weather reports. We advise the public to avoid traveling and staying near threatened coastal areas. Be prepared for disturbances, damage to structures and the risk of injury due to uprooted trees, broken branches and flying debris. Interruption of traffic and interruption of electricity supply is possible,” said DHMZ.
On Dinara -14, on Mosor -10. Storm speed 155 km/h
In the greater part of Dalmatia, Sunday dawned with mostly sunny weather, especially on the coast and islands, while there were slightly more clouds in the area of Zagora. Minimum temperatures ranged mostly from -5 to 0°C in Zagora and from 1 to 4°C on the coast and islands.
The coldest stations were Dinara-Sinjal with -14.7°C and Mosor-Veliki Kabal with -10.3°C, while the warmest were Komiža, Hvar and Supetar with 4°C.
The night and morning were marked by a stormy, gusty and hurricane-like storm. The strongest wind gust was measured in Split around 10 pm and was 155 km/h, with an average wind speed of 97 km/h. Let’s remind you, the strongest storm surge ever in Split was 176.5 km/h, measured on February 23, 2019 at 2 am.
For the rest of the day, we expect mostly sunny weather with moderate to strong, and in places, stormy weather and tramontana. Maximum temperatures will range mostly between 5 and 8°C.
The storm broke the sailboats in JK Labud
Dalmatinski Portal published footage showing that the storm did not spare even the sailboats of the Labud Split Sailing Club.
The stormy wind caused chaos throughout Croatia yesterday
Let us remind you that the stormy wind caused problems all over the country on Saturday. DHMZ announced a red alert for the entire coast, except for Istria, for which an orange alert was in effect. An orange alarm was on for the whole of northern Croatia, and a yellow one for the rest of the country.
Uprooted trees fell on cars and roads in Zagreb. All available teams went out in the field, and two people were slightly injured. An 11-year-old boy was injured on a soccer pitch in Split. He was transferred to KBC Split. In Osijek, the wind damaged part of the market canopy, and in Virovitica, the roof of a nearby garage fell on a school.
Parts of the facade fell from the buildings, there was damage to the roofs, and there was also damage to the electrical lines, so some areas were left without electricity.
HAK announced the traffic situation
The A1 Zagreb-Ploče-Karamatići, A6 Rijeka-Zagreb, the Solin-Klis expressway, the Maslenica-Zaton state road Obrovacki, Paški, Krčki and the bridge Dr. Franje Tuđman, but the wind slows down traffic on some sections, HAK reported on Sunday.
There is a ban on traffic for double-decker buses, vehicles with caravans and motorcycles on the state roads DC1 Vaganac-Korenica-Udbina-Gračac and DC217 between the town and the Ličko Petrovo Selo border crossing, and on the section of the Adriatic highway between Senj and Sveta Marija Magdalena there is an additional ban for delivery vehicles and vehicles with a covered cargo space.
The strong wind also slows down traffic on the A1 Zagreb-Ploče-Karamatići highways between the Sveti Rok tunnel and the Božići viaduct and the A6 Rijeka-Zagreb between Kikovica and the Tuhobić tunnel, driving at the speed limit.
On certain roads in the coast and inland, driving is difficult due to the strong wind. There are occasional delays on road sections where works are ongoing.
Difficulties in maritime transport as well
Due to unfavorable weather conditions, the following ferry lines are suspended: Prapratno-Sobra, Prizna-Žigljen; catamaran lines: Korčila-Hvar-Split, Vis-Split, Jelsa-Bol-Split, Ubli-Vela Luka-Hvar-Split, Mali Lošinj – Cres – Rijeka and Novalja – Rab – Rijeka and the Komiža-Biševo boat line.
For the latest travel info from HAK in English, click here.
