Rain Monday, Then a New Heat Wave: How to Prepare
After a changeable Monday with showers, temperatures climb again from midweek. The second half of July brings an orange, and possibly a red, heat alert. Here is what doctors advise you to do.
- On Monday, July 13, changeable weather with local rain and thunder, highs around 27 to 31 degrees.
- From midweek temperatures rise, past 35 degrees by mid-month with an orange alert.
- In the final third of July a red alert is possible, with peaks between 40 and 45 degrees.
- Doctors advise drinking water regularly, not ice-cold, and avoiding exertion from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Serbia’s Republic Hydrometeorological Institute forecasts changeable, cloudy weather for Monday, July 13, with short-lived rain and thunder in places and daytime highs between 27 and 31 degrees. The relief, however, will be brief. From midweek temperatures start climbing again, and by mid-month maximum values are expected to exceed 35 degrees, prompting an orange weather alert.
According to the Institute’s projections, the second half of July could turn considerably hotter. A red alert is not ruled out in the final third of the month, with peaks that some models place between 40 and 45 degrees. The Institute also estimates that 2026 will likely rank among the ten warmest years since systematic measurements began in Serbia, in line with the long-term warming trend recorded by European climate services as well.
Relief on Monday, then rising temperatures
The pattern of recent days, a cold front with showers followed by a fresh push of warm air, is a familiar summer sequence for meteorologists. For the body, though, sudden swings are not harmless. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity place extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, especially in older people and those with chronic conditions.
A heat wave is not defined by a single number alone, but also by how long it lasts. When high temperatures persist for several days in a row and nights stay warm, the body has too little time to cool down. It is prolonged exposure, rather than a single hot day, that carries the greatest health risk.
What can you actually do to protect your body from the heat?
Medical advice during heat waves tends to repeat itself, because it is simple and effective. The first point is regular fluid intake. Water should be sipped throughout the day in small amounts, rather than only when thirst sets in, since thirst is already a sign of mild dehydration. It should not be ice-cold, as a sudden cold intake can trigger cramps, but moderately cool.
The second recommendation concerns timing. Physical exertion and time outdoors are best avoided between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., when solar radiation is strongest. If going out cannot be postponed, light, pale clothing made of natural fabrics, a covered head and shade whenever available are advised.
The most vulnerable groups deserve particular attention. Older adults, small children, pregnant women and people with heart and kidney conditions regulate body temperature less easily. During a heat wave they should be checked on more often, kept well hydrated and kept out of overheated rooms and, above all, parked vehicles.
The signs that the body is not coping with the heat are clear: headache, dizziness, nausea, a racing pulse and a stop in sweating despite the heat. In that case the person should be moved somewhere cool, cooled down and, if their condition does not improve, given medical help.
Forecasts for the second half of July still carry a degree of uncertainty, since long-range models shift from day to day. What is certain is that summer is only now entering its hottest stretch. Have you already adapted your home and daily habits for the days when the thermometer climbs past 35 degrees?
