Golija Gets First Snow, Kopaonik Expects Flurries Tonight
Snow fell this morning on Golija near Ivanjica, and meteorologist Ivan Ristic says Kopaonik will get its first flakes tonight, after the peak's morning temperature dropped to just 1 degree.
Time to dig the winter jacket out of the closet? Judging by this morning’s scene on Golija, at least for a mountain outing, the answer is yes.
The season’s first snow fell this morning, September 22, on Golija near Ivanjica. Footage of the heavy flurries showed up on the TikTok account @sportsrbija and quickly drew attention. There was no real accumulation on the ground, though: the temperature on the mountain is still too high, so the snow melts the moment it touches the earth.
Where Was It Coldest This Morning?
At 7 a.m., the coldest spot in the country was Kopaonik, where the thermometer read just 1 degree. Sjenica followed with 3 degrees, then Crni Vrh with 4 and Pozega with 5. At the other end of the scale, Belgrade woke up to 12 degrees, and the warmest morning of all was in Negotin, at 13 degrees.
A gap like that between the mountains and the lowlands is nothing unusual for Golija. Its location and altitude hold on to cold air longer than the surrounding areas do, so the first flakes here are not rare even in late September.
What Does Serbia’s Weather Service Forecast for Today?
The Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (RHMZ) is calling for a mostly clear, cold morning today, with clouds building through the late morning. Cloudy skies and scattered light rain are expected in the afternoon, except in Backa and Srem, which should stay dry. Daytime highs will range from 17 degrees in the west of Serbia to 21 degrees in the east.
When Exactly Will Snow Reach Kopaonik?
Here the forecasts diverge a little. Meteorologist Ivan Ristic expects the first flakes on Kopaonik toward evening, most likely between 6 and 8 p.m., with the snow line sitting around 1,800 meters above sea level. The site Vreme i radar, on the other hand, projects that snow on Kopaonik will begin as early as around 4 p.m. and keep flurrying until 10 p.m.
According to that forecast, flurries are also expected on the highest parts of Suva Planina, Stara Planina, Besna Kobila, and the mountains of Kosovo and Metohija, wherever the terrain rises above 1,800 to 2,000 meters.
In a forecast carried by Informer on September 22, Ivan Ristic explained what is on the way:
A cold air mass is arriving today, our first cold day. We can expect rain, showers, and wind. That will also bring snow to Kopaonik and Golija, in the evening hours.
Why This Sharp Cold Snap Now?
We reported earlier that summer was losing its grip, when RHMZ first announced a temperature drop of more than 10 degrees. Today those forecasts got a concrete picture from the field. Ristic explains that the cause is a strong ridge of high pressure over the North Atlantic and Scandinavia, which is opening a path for cold, polar-origin air to push toward southeastern Europe. In a forecast carried by Kurir on September 22, he warns:
As the cold front moves south, temperatures will drop sharply from one day to the next.
By his account, temperatures in some areas could end up 10 to 15 degrees below the average for this time of year, and in some regions the season’s first frost cannot be ruled out either.
What’s Coming Through the End of the Week?
Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to bring 18 to 22 degrees, a mild warm-up compared with today. Ristic expects another cold snap around October 5, while from October 12 onward an Indian summer of sorts should set in, with temperatures above 20 degrees and cool mornings.
If you are planning a trip up to Kopaonik or Golija in the coming days, pack a winter jacket and sturdy shoes, even if you are still getting away with just a light jacket over a T-shirt in town. The snow may not have stuck to the ground, but the more than 10-degree gap between the mountains and the city this morning was very real.
