Snow reruns to parts of Croatia causing disruptions

(Screenshot/HAK)

Snow has fallen across several parts of Croatia, bringing winter conditions to higher elevations and inland regions, while strong winds and heavy rain have caused further disruption.

According to meteorologist Tea Blažević, writing for N1, snowfall has been recorded on Sljeme, Zavižan, in Gorski kotar and Lika, as well as parts of north-western Croatia.

A higher-level warning has been activated via the Meteoalarm system of the Državni hidrometeorološki zavod, as strong northerly winds and significant precipitation continue to affect the country.

In addition to snow, heavy rainfall has led to surface water accumulating on roads in some areas. Drivers are being urged to exercise caution, particularly where large amounts of water are lingering on carriageways.

Strong northerly winds are creating further difficulties, especially in exposed areas. Later on Friday, snow is possible elsewhere in the interior, while due to strong and storm-force bura winds, a few snowflakes could even reach parts of the northern Adriatic coast.

The Hrvatski autoklub (HAK) has warned of significant traffic restrictions due to winter conditions, particularly in Gorski kotar.

Currently, there is no open road route for lorries with trailers and articulated vehicles travelling between inland Croatia and Rijeka or Istria via Gorski kotar.

Winter driving conditions are in place in Gorski kotar and Lika, as well as on certain roads in north-western Croatia.

These include sections of the A6 Rijeka–Zagreb motorway between the Kikovica and Bosiljevo 2 interchanges, the DC1 state road in Lika between Prijeboj and Gračac, and the DC3 state road through Gorski kotar.

Despite the conditions, several major routes remain open to all vehicle categories, including the A1 Zagreb–Split–Dubrovnik motorway, the Adriatic Highway, Krk Bridge, Pag Bridge, Dr Franjo Tuđman Bridge in Dubrovnik and the Sveti Ilija Tunnel.

Due to wind in coastal areas and Lika, restrictions are also in force for certain vehicle groups on specific roads. Occasional heavy downpours may lead to large quantities of standing water, and the risk of landslides remains. Winter maintenance services are operating, with snow-clearing vehicles slowing traffic in some areas.

On the A2 Zagreb–Macelj motorway, traffic is flowing in a single lane between the Krapina interchange and the Levačica tunnel towards Macelj due to a traffic accident.

Several catamaran lines have been suspended, including services between Jelsa–Bol–Split, Ubli–Vela Luka–Hvar–Split, Sobra–Šipanska Luka–Dubrovnik, Ubli–Korčula–Dubrovnik and Zadar–Sali–Zaglav–Iž.

Cold Saturday Before Gradual Warm-Up

Skies are expected to gradually clear from the west overnight. Saturday will bring low temperatures inland, locally dropping to -5°C. There may still be light snow in eastern areas in the morning, while a few drops of rain are possible in the far south. Weak precipitation may also occur inland again in the evening.

The strong bura will gradually weaken and turn north-westerly.

During the night into Sunday and early Sunday morning, some light precipitation may occur inland, while the Adriatic coast will enjoy sunnier conditions. Temperatures will rise across the country.

The warming trend is expected to continue into next week, bringing more stable and milder weather after a wintry end to the week.