Croatia sizzles under hottest day of the year 

(Photo: SailWeekCroatia)

ZAGREB, 12 August 2019 – Croatia has experienced its hottest day of the year on Monday as the peak of the short but significant heatwave hit the country. 

The national weather service DHMZ reported on Monday morning that 12 August was set to be the hottest day of 2019 for most of the country and issued a warning, advising people to protect themselves, drink plenty of liquid and keep out of the sun.

At 3:00 pm, temperatures in Knin measured 40.2 °C, whilst in Ploče it was 37.3 °C. In Šibenik temperatures reached 37.1 °C at 3:00 pm, whilst Split recorded 36.6 °C, and it reached 33.4 °C on the island of Hvar. 

With humidity high, the ‘feel’ temperature for most places was well into the 40s °C. 

Whilst it passed 40 °C in parts of inland Dalmatia today, it was still a couple of degrees short of the all-time record. The highest ever temperature recorded in Croatia was 42.8°C in the town of Ploče on 4 August 1981. Previous to that, the record was 42.4°C which was recorded in Karlovac on 5 July 1950. 

The ongoing heatwave will lead to the increase in the consumption of electricity. The Croatian Transmission System Operator (HOPS) has stated that it is prepared for a rise in consumption of the electric power and reassures the general public that the provision of electricity supplies would run smoothly.

Medical services throughout the country are also ready to admit patients suffering from heat stroke and heat-related illnesses, HINA said.