Storms Cut the Hot Weekend: Flight Diverted to Belgrade
After the heat wave peaked, a storm with hail and strong wind hit western Serbia on July 18. A flight from Thessaloniki was diverted to Belgrade, the road to Zlatibor was disrupted, and border crossings are at their summer peak.
- A storm on July 18 struck Arilje, Nova Varos and Guca, where a tree fell onto a house.
- A flight from Thessaloniki could not land near Kraljevo because of the storm and was diverted to Belgrade.
- The Zlatibor-Kokin Brod highway was disrupted by fallen trees, and the town of Uzice lost its water supply for about 12 hours.
- Police were on full alert, and border crossings are running at their summer peak.
Planning to head to Zlatibor today, or cross a border on your way to the coast? Check road conditions first, because the weekend opened with a rougher script than the forecast promised most of us.
After several days in which the heat wave peaked, the sky broke sharply on Saturday, July 18. A storm with hail and strong wind swept across western and central Serbia, knocking down trees and causing trouble on the ground and in the air. The national weather service warned of hail, gale-force wind and heavy rain, and police were on full alert.
The west took the hardest hit. In Arilje, Nova Varos and Guca the wind snapped branches and tore off crowns, and in one case a tree fell straight onto a house. The image of the fallen trunk leaning on the roof quickly spread across social media and captures the force of the gusts. Heavy rain also fell in the Nis area, and in Uzice the water supply was cut for about twelve hours, hitting households in the middle of a hot stretch of summer.
What if you are traveling south or to the coast today?
Short answer: leave early and expect delays. The Zlatibor-Kokin Brod highway was disrupted because fallen trees lay beside and across the roadway, so crews had to clear the route. If you are heading that way, check whether the stretch is passable before you get in the car, not once you are already stuck in a line.
Air travel showed how awkward a storm can be. A plane flying from Thessaloniki toward Morava Airport near Kraljevo could not land because of the violent weather and was diverted to Belgrade. For passengers that means a longer trip and arranging transport to their final destination, but it is a standard, safe move when landing conditions are not met.
If you are flying these days, keep in mind that a storm can shift or divert a flight even when fair weather is forecast at the destination. Keep your phone charged, save the airline’s number, and do not book connections with a half-hour gap.
Borders at peak, and what you can do
Along with the storm comes the usual summer rush. Border crossings are running at full summer peak, so drivers are advised to be cautious and check conditions before setting off. Here are concrete steps to save your nerves:
- Check wait times at the crossing on official services before you leave.
- If you can, pick a slot outside the morning and afternoon peaks.
- Bring water and fill up the tank, because in a line in the heat both run out fast.
- Follow the weather service alerts, since the unstable weather could return in the coming days.
For now the storm passed without serious injuries, but it made clear that summer in Serbia can turn within an hour. A heat wave one day, a storm the next.
So, are you changing your travel plan today because of the weather, or setting off as you intended?
