Serbia summer 2026: four heatwaves forecast
Forecasters expect a hotter than average summer, peaking around 24 July when temperatures could top 40 degrees. Here is how to prepare in time.
- Forecasters expect four heatwaves during summer 2026, with June, July and August temperatures above average.
- The first stronger and longer wave arrives in late June, with readings around 35 degrees.
- The peak is expected around 24 July, when temperatures could top 40 degrees, locally up to 42.
- Night-time temperatures in city flats could exceed 30 degrees because of the urban heat island effect.
Just how hot will summer 2026 be? Hot enough that forecasters are already flagging as many as four heatwaves. Ivan Ristic and Marko Cubrilo predict above-average temperatures in June, July and August, with the strongest spell arriving in midsummer.
That means preparation should not be left to the last minute. If you know what is coming, it is easier to plan both work and holidays, and to buy cooling appliances before everyone else snaps them up.
When do the heatwaves arrive?
The first stronger and longer wave is forecast for late June, with temperatures around 35 degrees. That is only the start. The peak is expected around 24 July, when the mercury could top 40 degrees, and locally reach 42.
The hardest part is not necessarily the daytime. Night-time temperatures in city flats could exceed 30 degrees, especially in Belgrade, because of the urban heat island effect. Concrete and tarmac soak up heat during the day and release it slowly at night, so a flat never quite cools down by morning.
For anyone planning a trip to the coast, some good news: the Adriatic is currently around 20 degrees, rising in June to between 21 and 23 degrees, just right for the first swimmers.
How can you protect yourself from the heat?
The forecasters’ advice is clear: on the hottest day, if at all possible, stay at home with cooling appliances. Here are practical steps worth taking before the first wave hits in late June.
Check your air conditioner and fans while there is still time for a service. Get blinds and curtains ready to keep the sun out during the day. If you live under the roof or on the top floor, where the heat island effect is strongest, think about timing your day so the heaviest effort comes in the morning or evening.
The hottest hours, roughly from midday to late afternoon, are best spent in the shade or indoors. Keep water within reach, wear light, pale clothing, and take a cool shower rather than an icy one, which only puts extra strain on the body.
Have you already got a plan ready for the first heatwave of the summer?
