Heat wave peaks: up to 39C, relief and showers from July 1
Serbia's heat wave hits its peak this weekend, with temperatures up to 39C and a 95 percent chance of 38 or more on Monday. Real relief, with showers and thunderstorms, arrives only on July 1.
- On Sunday, June 28, sunny and very hot, a high of 35 to 39C, with a 90 percent chance of 38 or more.
- On Monday, June 29, the chance of 38C or higher rises to 95 percent.
- The heat wave runs from Friday, June 26, to Tuesday, July 2.
- Relief arrives on July 1, when temperatures drop three to five degrees with showers and thunderstorms.
Will you even be able to go outside during the day this weekend? Honestly, the best move is to plan nothing important between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The heat wave peaks right on Saturday and Sunday, and real relief does not come until Wednesday.
For Sunday, June 28, the RHMZ forecasts sunny and very hot weather, with a high of 35 to 39C. The odds that the mercury tops 38C are a full 90 percent. On Monday, June 29, that chance climbs to 95 percent, which basically means you can count on one more scorching day. The whole spell lasts from Friday, June 26, to Tuesday, July 2, so we face nearly a week of fighting the heat.
There is good news. From July 1, cooler air arrives and temperatures fall three to five degrees. The weather turns unstable, with local showers and thunderstorms, so after several dry, blistering days a little rain finally comes too.
How do you get through the hottest days unharmed?
Because of the high temperatures, the Batut institute has issued concrete recommendations, and they are worth taking seriously. Here is what you can do today, step by step.
First, avoid being outdoors during the hottest part of the day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you absolutely must go out, seek shade, wear light, pale clothing and a cap or hat. At those hours the asphalt in the city center can run several degrees hotter than the official temperature.
Second, drink enough fluids. Batut recommends 8 to 10 glasses of water across the day, and to drink before you feel thirsty. Thirst is already a sign you are behind. Avoid alcohol and too much coffee, since both dry the body out further.
Third, keep a close eye on those who tolerate heat poorly. That means children, people over 60, and those with chronic illness. If you have elderly neighbors or parents living alone, one call a day in this weather means a lot. Check that they have water and that their home is bearable.
A practical tip from everyday use: lower the blinds and curtains on the sunny side of your home early in the morning, while the air is still cool. That keeps the shade inside and stops the place turning into an oven by noon.
What to wear and how to cool your home
If you have to go to work or run errands, pack a small water bottle and tuck some wet wipes into your bag. A damp cloth on the back of the neck and the wrists quickly brings down that feeling of heat. A lukewarm, not ice-cold, shower also helps more than you would think, because ice water sends the body the wrong signal to heat up again.
For the home, if you have no air conditioning, point a fan so it pushes warm air out the window in the evening, once it finally cools outside. A damp sheet hung in front of the fan makes a homemade version of cooling. It is no miracle, but it makes a difference in the bedroom.
Our recommendation is to leave demanding activities, a workout, the garden or a big clean, for early morning or after 7 p.m. These three days are not for heroics in the sun.
How are you planning to get through the hottest days this weekend, do you have a tried and tested cooling trick of your own?
