Croatia set for near record temperatures this week 

(Photo: Viktor Juric)

ZAGREB, 16 December 2019 – This time of the year is usually when forecasters are predicting whether or not there will be a White Christmas. Instead of the much anticipated snow, forecasters say record warm temperatures, up to 19 °C in parts, are set for Croatia this week.  

“On Monday, there will be sunshine and highs in Slavonia and eastern Croatia of 13 °C. The forecast for central Croatia is even warmer with temperatures reaching 15 °C,” said forecaster Zoran Vakula for HRT. 

Unusually warm week, temperatures could break records

The first 2019/20 winter month in Europe will be bring above normal average monthly temperatures. Unusually warm weather for east-central and southern Europe is expected. Models are trending into an incredible warmth developing this week which could bring record highs. 

(Image: DHMZ)

“On Tuesday, the upper ridge continues strengthening over the Balkan peninsula while the trough over the North Atlantic pushes onto the Iberian peninsula. This results in even stronger warm advection from the Mediterranean sea towards east-central Europe with a broad area of 12-16 °C average temperature above normal. This will significantly enhance the melting process of the existing snow cover in many areas,” Severe Weather Europe said. 

In Dalmatia, it will be mostly dry, partly sunny and relatively warm. A warm southerly will be blowing with highs between 14 – 17 °C. In the very south highs will reach up to 19 °C.

“Through mid-week, upper ridge persists over the ESE parts of Europe while trough over Iberia vanishes. However, a very deep trough / low develops over the North Atlantic again. An incredibly warm airmass persists over the eastern half of Europe with locally 12-18 °C anomaly while literally the whole continent is experiencing above normal temperatures. Very warm weather with close to 20 °C afternoon temperatures are likely over the Balkan peninsula,” Severe Weather Europe added.

(Image: wxcharts.com/MetDesk/Severe Weather Europe)

Long-range models are trending towards the extension of this usually warm weather even into the next week which means the likelihood of a White Christmas are almost zero.