Serbia's Weather Agency Warns of Hailstorms Sunday and Monday

Is the bad weather really arriving sooner than expected? Yes, it is. On Friday evening Serbia’s national weather service, RHMZ, issued a fresh warning for severe thunderstorms, and they are coming faster than earlier forecasts suggested. After days of extreme heat and a red UV alert, the air is so saturated with warmth that storm cells matured ahead of schedule.

This is a new turn in the situation. Until yesterday the talk was only about sun and finding shade. Now lightning, strong wind and hail join the picture, so it is smart to plan the next two days in advance.

What exactly does the weather alert say?

Let’s take it step by step, so it is clear where and when.

On Sunday, June 21, the late afternoon will bring locally heavy showers with thunder and brief hail. The most exposed areas are Backa and Banat, the northern parts of the country. That means Vojvodina is the first to meet the change in weather.

For Monday, June 22, a special warning has been issued. It covers the Belgrade area, along with Srem and western and central Serbia. The reason is a dangerous mix of high temperatures and storm cells, which is why orange and yellow alerts are in force at the same time.

Daytime highs stay elevated, between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius, with tropical nights in Belgrade and Vojvodina. It is precisely that stifling heat that fuels the storms. Only from Monday through Wednesday does the weather become changeable and a little cooler, around 29 to 33 degrees, bringing some relief.

How can you prepare before you head out?

Here is a practical guide you can use today, without panic and without overreacting.

First, if you plan to drive through Backa or Banat on Sunday afternoon, check the radar before you leave. Hail and strong wind are most dangerous for drivers on open roads, so it is better to wait for a storm cell to pass than to race through it.

Second, bring in flower pots, umbrellas and light chairs from terraces and balconies. A short gust can turn them into projectiles, a risk for you and for neighbors below.

Third, park your car under a shelter or in a garage if you can. Hail the size of a hazelnut is enough to dent bodywork, and that is an expense easily avoided.

Fourth, charge your phone and keep a flashlight ready. Stormy weather sometimes brings brief power cuts, so it helps to be set before that happens.

Our recommendation is simple: leave some slack in your schedule for these two days. Anything that can wait should wait until Wednesday, when the weather settles.

So will you rearrange your weekend plans, or count on the storm skipping your part of town?