Croatian farmers grapple with extreme heat as temperatures hit 35‑40°C

Farmers in Croatia's Varaždin region are working around the clock to protect crops as a heat wave brings daytime temperatures of 35 °C and higher, with occasional spikes above 40 °C. Seed keeper Marija Cafuk and local growers describe night‑time irrigation as essential to prevent water from overheating and causing rot. Planting schedules have been adjusted, with sowing limited to early morning and late afternoon, and fields are being watered through the night to avoid the scorching sun.

Meteorologist Duško Kraljev warns that this is only the beginning of the season's extreme temperatures, attributing the heat dome to warm air flowing from North Africa and stagnant anticyclonic conditions. He notes that while the Mediterranean enjoys milder conditions, much of Western Europe, including Croatia, faces unprecedented heat, increasing risks of drought, crop failure, and fire. The prolonged heat also threatens broader agricultural output and green spaces across the country.