June the 23rd, 2026 – The Croatian Meterological and Hydrological Service has revealed that the last 10 years have brought the warmest temperatures since records began, and it’s deeply worrying.
Index reports that the leading Croatian meteorological experts say the country is experiencing a clear and accelerating warming trend, with the last decade standing out as the hottest period since systematic temperature measurements began.
Ivan Güttler, head of the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ), warned that extreme heat events are becoming increasingly frequent and that conditions once considered unusual are now appearing much more often.
“Heatwaves that used to happen once in a summer, or once every several years, are now becoming much more common,” Güttler said, pointing to the growing impact of climate change on Croatia’s weather patterns.
According to DHMZ data, recent years have repeatedly broken temperature records. The trend is especially visible in the increase of average annual temperatures, with many of the warmest years recorded in the past two decades.
The warming trend has also been reflected in extreme weather events. Croatia has experienced increasingly intense heatwaves, including periods with record-breaking temperatures along the Adriatic coast. During one recent heatwave, several coastal locations recorded exceptionally high temperatures, while DHMZ issued high-level warnings due to the danger posed by extreme heat.
Scientists note that rising temperatures do not only mean hotter summers. They also contribute to longer dry periods, increased stress on water resources, risks for agriculture, and greater pressure on public health systems.
DHMZ has highlighted that the global pattern is mirrored in Croatia, where recent years have consistently ranked among the warmest in recorded history. The service has warned that adaptation measures and climate action will become increasingly important as extreme conditions become more frequent.
For Croatia, a country heavily dependent on tourism, agriculture, and its natural environment, the changing climate is becoming a major long-term challenge. The message from meteorologists is clear: the climate of the past is changing, and the country is already experiencing the extremely negative effects.
