Serbia's Heat Eases by Saturday, Then Climbs Again
The worst has passed, but southern and eastern Serbia still hit 36 degrees today. Highs ease to 29 to 34 by Saturday, then climb above 35 again from Sunday. Advice for heart and asthma patients.
Is the worst over? Yes, but not quite today. The heat that has gripped the country for days has one more hard day left in it, then it eases off all the way to Saturday.
The Republic Hydrometeorological Service (RHMZ) issued a high temperature warning this morning for the whole of Serbia, Belgrade included. The morning itself was uneven: at seven o’clock the warmest spot was Belgrade, at 23 degrees, while Sjenica was the coolest, at 11.
Today’s highs range from 31 degrees in the north to 36 degrees in the south and east of the country. Belgrade should see around 32 degrees, with sunny skies and a light to moderate northerly wind that turns strong in places during the day.
How Hot Will It Stay Until Saturday?
From today through Saturday, August 15, temperatures settle into a range of 29 to 34 degrees. Belgrade will move between 31 and 34 over those days.
The dip is real, but short. From Sunday, August 16, RHMZ is already forecasting a return to values around and above 35 degrees. Three days of relief, and that is the whole of it.
Today’s numbers by city:
- Subotica, Belgrade and Novi Sad: 31 to 32 degrees
- Kragujevac and Kraljevo: 33
- Nis and Negotin: 35 to 36
- Kopaonik: 22, with variable cloud cover
Who Needs to Be Careful Today
Wednesday’s biometeorological conditions weigh on anyone sensitive to heat, above all heart patients, asthma sufferers and people with hypertension. Weather related reactions can include headaches, fatigue and trouble concentrating.
RHMZ’s advice is short: avoid strenuous physical effort and protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation.
In practical terms, for a day like today:
- do not schedule outdoor work between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., when both the temperature and the UV radiation peak
- drink water before you feel thirsty, since thirst itself already means you are behind on fluids
- wear light, loose, pale colored cotton clothing, and cover your head if you must go out
- if you take blood pressure medication or have asthma, do not adjust your own dose because of the heat, call your doctor instead
- children, older people, pregnant women and people with chronic illness should never be left alone in a hot apartment or a parked car, not even for five minutes
Is Rain Coming?
Barely. Brief rain or showers will be rare or will not happen at all, with one exception: northern Vojvodina, in the evening and overnight.
only in the north of Vojvodina, with local cloud development, is a rare occurrence of brief rain or a shower possible
That is how RHMZ worded it in its precipitation warning. For every other part of the country, it means the dry spell continues.
Alongside the heat, the same warning carries another item: a precipitation deficit. The elevated risk of wildfires starting and spreading in the open continues, with knock on effects for public health, critical infrastructure, traffic, transport, tourism, farming and livestock.
Yesterday we covered a day that hit 39 degrees, and how to get through the peak of a heat wave. Today’s 36 degrees in the south are not far off that number, so the same precautions still apply.
Our Recommendation
Make the most of Thursday and Friday. Those are the two lowest readings of the week, so that is when to schedule a move, a big cleanup, garden work or a long drive without air conditioning. From Sunday, temperatures climb back above 35 degrees, and anything you put off will meet you in worse conditions than today.
