Serbia Braces for a Scorching Late July, Over 40 Degrees
The first half of the month brings a break near 30 degrees, but forecasters warn of a returning tropical heat wave, orange then red alerts, and the mercury possibly topping 40 degrees Celsius.
- The first ten days of July bring a break, around 30 degrees by day and cooler nights near 27.
- Around July 15, the mercury climbs past 35 degrees and an orange alert kicks in.
- In the final third of the month, 40 to 45 degrees and a red alert are possible.
- The public health institute advises avoiding the sun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and drinking plenty of fluids.
Is this pleasant July just the calm before the storm? It is, and forecasters are not hiding it. After a few days when Belgrade could finally breathe, tropical temperatures are on their way back, and stronger than they were in June.
The first half of the month is a real breather. Daytime highs hover around 30 degrees, nights cool off to about 27, and short local showers are possible during the day without any big extremes. It is the ideal window to plan whatever you do not want to do in the heat that is coming later.
Because it is coming. Meteorologist Ivan Ristic says that around July 15 the maximum temperatures will pass 35 degrees. That is the line where an orange weather alert switches on. Then comes the part nobody likes to hear: in the final ten days of the month, the heat wave is expected to strengthen further, with a red alert and several days when the mercury could sit between 40 and 45 degrees.
What do the orange and red alerts actually mean?
The colors are not decoration. They tell you exactly how seriously to take the day ahead.
An orange alert means the heat is becoming dangerous to health, especially for vulnerable groups. A red alert is the highest level of warning and it applies to everyone, not only to people with chronic conditions. When the weather service turns the map red, extreme heat can put even a perfectly healthy person at risk if they do not take care.
The public health institute has clear advice for those days. Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when radiation is strongest. Drink fluids before you even feel thirsty, because thirst already means you are behind. Wear light, pale, cotton clothing. And pay special attention to children, pregnant women, the elderly and heart patients, since they feel the strain first.
Why is dehydration more dangerous than you think?
This is not just about discomfort and sweating. Doctors warn of a mechanism many people never connect with the heat.
When you lose a lot of fluid at high temperatures, the viscosity of your blood changes. The blood thickens and circulates less easily. Dehydration can therefore lead to local thrombosis, a heart attack or a stroke, and the risk is highest for those who already struggle with their heart and blood pressure.
A practical tip from experience: keep a water bottle within reach at all times, and do not rely on coffee or fizzy drinks, which dry the body out even more. If you have older relatives, call them during the day and remind them to drink. They are usually the last to feel thirsty in time.
Our advice is to use these pleasant days for every outdoor task on your list, and to save a plan for late July that keeps you out of the midday sun. How do you plan to get through the red alert when it arrives?
