Balkans experience thunderstorms, rain and sharp cooling after heat wave
A cold front moving across the Balkans has ended several days of record heat with widespread thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, gusty winds and a marked temperature drop of up to 15 °C. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute forecast mostly cloudy skies with local showers and lightning, wind from the north‑north‑west at light to moderate strength and daily highs now ranging between 20 °C and 32 °C. A strong storm on 1 July damaged the 35/10 kV Kozluk sub‑station near Zvornik, cutting electricity to about 6 000 households; crews are working to restore power.
Croatia’s State Hydrometeorological Service issued orange alerts for thunderstorms, hail, gusty winds and urban flooding, especially in the interior and along the northern Adriatic. Temperatures are expected to fall by 10 °C, with sunny and milder conditions returning for the weekend. Zagreb’s park Maksimir received a specific warning of possible falling trees and strong winds.
Slovenia also saw an orange warning from ARSO as heavy rain of 50–80 L m⁻² in six hours threatened flash floods, with numerous reports of flooded streets and disrupted transport. The same weather pattern prompted emergency services in Serbia to treat more than 620 patients in 24 hours, record 70 hospital admissions and respond to 19 traffic accidents related to the abrupt weather change.
Overall, the region faces a brief period of unstable weather followed by cooler, clearer conditions later in the week.