Heat Breaks With Storms, but a Fiercer Wave Nears 45C
Serbia's weather service forecasts an end to the heat wave with showers, thunder and local hail. But the break is short: meteorologists warn a new, stronger wave with up to 45C is coming in mid July.
- Serbia's weather service forecasts showers, thunder and local hail for July 1, with temperatures dropping to 31 to 35C.
- Thursday turns even cooler, around 26 to 30C, but the break lasts only about ten days.
- Meteorologist Ivan Ristic expects a new wave of 40 to 45C, with the hottest day around July 24.
- The Batut Institute advises staying indoors between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Can you finally catch a break from the heat? Yes, but only for a moment. Serbia’s Hydrometeorological Service forecasts changeable, cloudy weather for July 1, with showers and thunderstorms, and locally heavier rain and hail in places. The daytime high is falling, to between 31 and 35C, and by Thursday it slips to a more pleasant 26 to 30C.
It is real relief after weeks of misery. The Batut Institute of Public Health declared a heat wave for the period from June 23 to July 2 and repeated the same advice throughout: do not go outside between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., drink water before you feel thirsty, and check on elderly neighbours and family members. Now the rain is coming to wash away the heat, at least for a few days.
What the end of the heat wave brings
The cool-down does not arrive quietly. When the temperature drops by nearly ten degrees in a short span, it usually means unstable weather: sudden downpours, strong wind and thunder. That is exactly what the weather service forecasts for Wednesday, with local hail in some spots. If you have a garden, pots on the balcony or a car parked in the open, take that as a cue to secure them in time.
Our advice is simple. Use this break to air out your home early in the morning and in the evening, while the air is fresh, then close the blinds before noon so the heat does not creep back in. Fill your bottles with water and restock the fridge with hydrating fruit and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber and tomato. These few days are perfect for catching up on the sleep the heat has been stealing.
Do not be fooled into thinking summer is done. This is a pause, not the finish. The showers will freshen the air, but the humidity after rain can be draining in its own way, especially for people with blood pressure and heart problems.
How long will the relief last before the next wave?
Not long, and that is the part worth remembering. Meteorologist Ivan Ristic warns that after about ten days of milder weather a new heat wave arrives, with temperatures between 40 and 45C. The hottest day, by his estimate, is expected around July 24.
Meteorologist Nedeljko Todorovic paints a similar picture. He forecasts temperatures above 40C for the second half of July and points out that such extreme values happen roughly once every fifteen years. In other words, what awaits us in mid and late July could be more serious than anything we have felt so far this summer.
So these ten days of relief are not just for resting. Use them to prepare. Check that your air conditioner works properly and clean the filters, because repair services get swamped the moment the heat strikes. If you work outdoors or have small children, plan your tasks for the early morning hours. During the hottest days, older family members should have someone who checks on them regularly.
The summer of 2026 clearly will not be gentle. After every cool-down comes a new blow, and the one arriving in mid July could break records. How are you getting ready for the scorching days ahead, and do you already have your own trick for cooling the home without air conditioning?
