by croatiaweek
July 9, 2025
in
Bol
The Director of Croatia’s State Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ), Dr Ivan Güttler, has provided insights into the powerful storm that struck Split on Tuesday, along with a forecast for the coming summer months.
Speaking to Croatian broadcaster HRT, Dr Güttler confirmed that DHMZ had issued warnings for potentially dangerous conditions along the coast, including Istria, Dalmatia and all the way to Dubrovnik.
However, while the warning was in place, the severity of the storm that hit Split came as a surprise.
“In recent days, two cyclones passed over our area. What made this event unique was that they encountered a warm surface, both land and sea, which had been heated by previous heatwaves,” explained Dr Güttler.
He noted that the interaction between cooler, moist air and the warm surface created conditions for the formation of convective clouds, towering up to 15 kilometres high. These types of clouds can produce hail, strong winds and heavy rain.
In the case of Split, he said, a single isolated cloud developed quickly over the open sea. Within just half an hour, it moved over Split, Solin and nearby towns, bringing hurricane-force gusts and causing widespread damage.
Although DHMZ had anticipated unstable weather, the rapid development and strength of the storm exceeded expectations.
Damage and Response
Tomislav Marević from the Civil Protection Directorate praised the response of the local population, noting that despite the sudden and violent nature of the storm, people reacted well. Around 20 people were injured, but none seriously.
“In situations like this, we see how well our emergency systems work. In Split alone, there were over 400 calls to 112. These were redirected to Zagreb to ensure that no one was left waiting too long,” said Marević. He added that the storm caused similar damage in parts of Slavonia, including fallen trees and damage to roofs and vehicles.
Summer Outlook
Experts say this is another example of how climate change is contributing to more intense and faster-developing weather systems.
“Sudden changes are becoming more common,” said meteorologist Branko Grisogono from the Croatian Meteorological Society.
Looking ahead, Dr Güttler said Croatia and much of Europe can expect a summer warmer than average. However, when it comes to rainfall, there are no clear patterns.
“We have seen both dry spells and extremely heavy rainfall events. This summer is likely to bring a mix of both,” he explained.
The worst of the recent storms now appears to be over. DHMZ reports that although there are still yellow-level warnings in place for parts of the coast due to wind and rain, conditions are expected to calm in the coming days.
The country is likely to enter a more stable weather period, with temperatures gradually rising by the end of the week. However, there is a possibility of further rainfall events in the middle of next week.
Residents, especially along the coast, are advised to stay updated and remain cautious in the face of sudden changes, particularly due to the ongoing risk of strong bura winds.