[INTERNATIONAL] · Greece, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania · 82 sources

5 days ago

Part of situation: Greece July 2026 Fires, Arrests & Ongoing Response (139 clusters)

Heat wave and dust forecast for Greece and the Balkans in late July 2026

Balkan heat forecast African dust transport July 2026 temperatures thunderstorm warnings public health advisory

Meteorological services across the Balkans forecast a gradual rise in temperatures for the end of July 2026, with maximums reaching 34‑38 °C in parts of Greece, Croatia, Bosnia‑Herzegovina and Serbia. The European Centre for Medium‑Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) predicts a warm air mass moving northwards, while African dust is expected to be transported into the western and central Balkans, reducing visibility in several regions.

In Greece, the outlook shows no sustained heat‑wave but a steady increase, with inland peaks around 34 °C and occasional local showers or thunderstorms, especially in the north and central areas. Similar conditions are foreseen for Croatia’s coastal zones and inland, where strong gusts and localized rain are possible. Bosnia‑Herzegovina and Serbia have received yellow weather warnings for thunderstorm activity, heavy rain and wind, with some areas expecting up to 40 mm of rain per hour. Health officials warn that the heat and dust may aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, particularly among the elderly and outdoor workers.

Overall, the forecasts call for heightened public vigilance, recommendations to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor exertion during peak heat, and to follow local authorities' guidance on weather alerts.

Entities: African dust plume · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Croatia · Greece · Serbia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] The heat wave is expected to continue into early August, with temperatures regularly above 30 °C and heightened forest‑fire risk. (meteorologists)
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Croatia, wind gusts of up to 70 km/h were reported together with hail and isolated heavy rain of 10‑30 L m‑2. (Croatian weather service)
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Serbia, thunderstorms and strong winds were observed over Belgrade with sudden darkening and rain. (Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia)
[● 2 SOURCES] Temperatures in the Balkans are expected to reach 38‑41 °C during late July 2026. (meteorologists)
[● 3 SOURCES] Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian meteorological services issued yellow or orange warnings for thunderstorms, heavy rain and gusts up to 70 km/h. (national weather agencies)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federal Hydrometeorological Institute issued yellow warnings for rain intensities of 20‑40 L m‑2 in specific regions. (Federal Hydrometeorological Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
[● 2 SOURCES] Coastal areas of the Adriatic Sea saw sea‑level rises of up to 55 cm, temporarily flooding promenades. (weather observers)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The WHO warned that increased wildfires in Europe, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, pose health risks from smoke and particulate matter. (World Health Organization)