Europe: Adverse weather forecast across parts of the region through at least Nov. 21

Severe weather is forecast across parts of southeastern Europe through at least Nov. 21. A mix of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds, and snowfall in elevated areas are expected over parts of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia over the coming days. Heavy downpours could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and strong winds may cause property damage and power outages.

The respective meteorological services have issued the following weather warnings across the affected area Nov. 20:

• Orange heavy rainfall warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Foca and Trebinje regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Epirus, the Ionian Islands, and West Peloponnese regions in Greece, and across Montenegro.

• Orange heavy snowfall warnings: Kosovo, the Continental and Mountains Region in Montenegro, and Southwestern Serbia and Western Serbia regions in Serbia.

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Dubrovnik and Split regions in Croatia and Epirus, the Ionian Islands, and West Peloponnese regions in Greece.

• Orange strong wind warnings: Banja Luka, Bihac, Foca, Livno, Prijedor, and Terbinje regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Continental and Mountains and Adriatic Coast regions in Montenegro.

• Yellow heavy rainfall warnings: Banja Luka, Bihac, Livno, Mostar, Prijedor, Sarajevo, and Tuzla regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Gospic and Knin regions in Croatia; Crete, the Dodecanese Islands, the North East Aegean Islands, Thrace, West Macedonia, and West Sterea regions in Greece; across Kosovo; and Polog, Skopje, and Southwestern regions in North Macedonia.

• Yellow heavy snowfall warnings: Banja Luka, Bihac, Foca, Livno, Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Visegrad regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gospic Region in Croatia, and Eastern Serbia, Pomoravlje, Southeastern Serbia, and Sumadija regions in Serbia.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Knin and Riejka regions in Croatia, Crete, the Dodecanese Islands, the North East Aegean Islands, Thrace, and West Sterea regions in Greece, and across Montenegro.

• Yellow strong wind warnings: Mostar, Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Visegrad regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; across Croatia; across Kosovo; Central Region in Montenegro; Eastern, Northeastern, Pelagonia, Skopje, Southeastern, and Vardar regions in North Macedonia; and across much of Serbia with the exception of Eastern Serbia Region.

• Yellow coastal warnings: Adriatic Coast Region in Montenegro.

Officials will likely update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall.

Precipitation could fall as snow in the higher elevations over the coming days. Wind gusts could cause blowing and drifting snow; decreased visibility is likely in mountainous areas. Rain-induced landslides cannot be discounted in areas of elevated terrain; there is also the possibility of avalanches in mountainous areas where the snowpack has become unstable due to heavy snowfall. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant winds, flooding, or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Heavy snow will likely make driving hazardous in some areas; authorities could implement temporary road closures or detours in such locations. Mountain passes and tunnels could be closed as a precautionary measure during periods of intense snowfall.

Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at regional airports. Flooding or snow could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.