Severe hailstorm hits Slovenia, prompting orange alerts in Croatia

A powerful storm system moved from Slovenia into northern Croatia, bringing intense hail up to five centimetres in diameter, heavy rain and strong winds. The hail caused local flooding, road closures and power outages, especially in the eastern Slovene regions of Carinthia and Styria and in the Croatian Zagreb and Osijek areas. Meteorological agencies – Slovenia’s ARSO and Croatia’s DHMZ – upgraded warnings to orange for the most affected zones and issued yellow alerts for surrounding regions. Emergency services responded to dozens of calls, setting up protective barriers, clearing fallen trees and assisting drivers who sought shelter under overpasses and tunnels. The storm also produced gusts capable of damaging property, uprooting trees and creating flash‑flood conditions on roads. Forecasts indicated the instability would persist through the following days, with further localized thunderstorms expected across both countries.

The event underscores the vulnerability of the region to rapid convective weather, prompting authorities to advise residents to stay indoors during extreme conditions, monitor official updates and avoid travel on flooded routes.