RHMZ: Serbia Hits 37 Degrees Today, Cooldown Comes Saturday

Is the heat breaking already tomorrow? No. Serbia’s Republic Hydrometeorological Institute (RHMZ) this morning pushed the announced cooldown from Thursday to Saturday, two days later than previously forecast.

Our earlier report said rain and a drop to 25 degrees would arrive already on Thursday. The new forecast changes that. Today and tomorrow stay hot, and alongside the temperature warning, RHMZ has also issued alerts for low river water levels and an increased risk of wildfires due to drought.

How Hot Will It Get Today and Tomorrow

Sources do not fully agree on the exact numbers, so here is what each one says. Tanjug reports that RHMZ expects 33 to 37 degrees today and tomorrow across eastern, central and southern Serbia. Informer and B92 give a wider range for today’s high, from 27 degrees in the northwest to 36 in the southeast. Espreso, in a forecast published yesterday, ties the 33 to 36 degree range to Thursday, not today. Whichever number turns out to be right in your city, the message is the same: the rest of Wednesday and Thursday are another scorching stretch.

In Belgrade, today’s high is around 30 degrees, with a morning low near 21, mostly sunny skies with variable cloudiness, and a weak to moderate northwest wind. The lowest temperatures across the country today range from 10 to 21 degrees. Light, brief rain fell in parts of Vojvodina this morning, and short afternoon showers are expected in the hilly and mountainous areas of southern Serbia.

On Friday, September 11, central, southern and eastern regions still see 33 to 36 degrees. Only later in the day do rain and local thunderstorms reach the west, north and central parts of the country.

The Warnings That Come With the Heat

Alongside the temperature warning, RHMZ has issued two more. One covers low river water levels, the other agricultural drought, with an increased risk of wildfires starting and spreading.

Meteoalarm is showing orange today, Wednesday, for high temperatures in Backa, Banat, Srem, Belgrade, western Serbia, Sumadija, Pomoravlje, and southeastern and southwestern Serbia. Only eastern Serbia is under a yellow alert.

Five Things That Help When It’s This Hot

• Drink water before you feel thirsty, especially if you’re outside in the afternoon.
• Save physical exertion for the morning or evening, not the window between noon and 5 p.m.
• RHMZ advises extra caution today for people with chronic illnesses, particularly asthma and heart conditions.
• Bone pain or sudden mood swings can be a weather-related reaction to the heat and don’t necessarily signal anything serious.
• Stay more focused than usual behind the wheel. RHMZ is specifically appealing to drivers.

When the Real Cooldown Arrives

Saturday, September 12, is the turning point. Rain reaches every part of the country in the morning, and temperatures drop by about ten degrees. Over the weekend and into early next week, highs fall to 23 to 27 degrees. On Sunday, rain mostly sticks to the hilly and mountainous areas of southern and eastern Serbia.

In other words, if you’re planning something outdoors this weekend, pack a jacket, not a swimsuit. Until then, stay in the shade whenever you can.