September the 6th, 2026 – A drastic weather change is on the cards for Croatia, bringing relief from oppressive, scorching temperatures.
Index reports that Croatia is currently under the influence of an anticyclone that is bringing clear, stable and hot weather with an inflow of dry air from northern Africa. It won’t last long, however, as a major change is approaching next week. While three tropical cyclones are currently moving across the Pacific, driven by El Niño, and the Atlantic hurricane season is lagging, a deep cyclone between Iceland and Great Britain is slowly shifting eastwards and will affect the weather in continental Europe.
the genoa cyclone
A ridge of high pressure over Scandinavia, connected to the anticyclone over central Europe, extends all the way to northern Africa and the Black Sea. However, a cyclone from the Atlantic will descend towards the North Sea, and its surge of cold and unstable air over western and central Europe will be blocked by the Alps. The jet stream that will bypass the Alps on the western side will trigger the rapid development of a new cyclone in the Gulf of Genoa. That Genoa cyclone, together with the jet stream and a cold front, will begin to influence the weather in Croatia from the middle of next week.
showers, thunderstorms and a significant pressure drop is looming
Before the front actually arrives, due to southerly and south-westerly flow, a strong jugo (sirocco) will blow. The inflow of moisture will further intensify the feeling of sultriness. According to current forecast models, the cold front will affect the northwestern inland areas as well as the northern and central Adriatic during the night from Wednesday to Thursday. During Thursday it will spread across the whole country. The front will be accompanied by thunderstorms, showers and rain, along with strong, locally stormy winds. After the front passes, a strong, locally stormy bora will start blowing in the northern Adriatic. Air temperatures inland will drop by 12 to 15 degrees, and on the Adriatic and in the coastal areas by 8 to 10 degrees.
there’s still a few more days of heat to go
Before the major weather change, we can still expect a few more days of heat. Moderate heatwave warnings from the DHMZ (Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service) have been issued for today, tomorrow and Tuesday. Today it will be sunny and hot with a weak north-westerly wind, while on the Adriatic the maestral will blow. Towards the end of the day and during the night there may be a weak bura in the Velebit coastal area. The DHMZ has issued a heatwave warning for the Adriatic that will last until the middle of the week. Sea temperatures are between 25 and 28 degrees.
On Monday and Tuesday predominantly sunny, warm and hot weather continues. Morning temperatures inland will be around 17°C and on the Adriatic around 23°C. Maximum daytime temperatures inland will range from 30 to 31°C, while on the Adriatic they will reach around 34°C, with a weak to moderate maestral.
On Wednesday the jugo will start blowing, and daytime temperatures will still be high, hovering around 32°C inland and up to 35°C on the Adriatic and islands. In the evening and during the night a gradual increase in cloud cover is expected from the northwest, along with the arrival of the cold front.
