Europe: Adverse weather forecast to continue across parts of the region through at least Nov. 23 /update 1

Severe weather is forecast across parts of southeastern Europe through at least Nov. 23. 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, Romania, 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. Hazardous travel conditions are likely in mountainous areas due to slippery roads and reduced visibility caused by blowing snow.

The respective meteorological services have issued the following weather warnings across the affected area Nov. 22:

• Red blizzard warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Parts of Alba, Arges, Brasov, Caras-Severin, Dambovita, Hunedoara, and Sibiu counties in Romania.

• Red strong wind warnings: Across Montenegro.

• Orange heavy rainfall warnings: Foca. Livno, and Trebinje regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ionian Islands and West Macedonia regions in Greece; across Kosovo; across Montenegro; and Southwestern Serbia Region in Serbia.

• Orange heavy snowfall warnings: Across Kosovo, parts of central, northern, and western Romania, and Southeast Serbia and Southwestern Serbia regions in Serbia.

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Dubrovnik Region in Croatia and Ionian Islands, Thesally, West Macedonia, and West Sterea regions in Greece.

• Orange strong wind warnings: Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubrovnik, Gospic, Rijeka, and Split regions in Croatia, and Arad, Caras-Severin, and Timis counties in Romania.

• Orange coastal warnings: Adriatic Coast Region in Montenegro.

• Yellow heavy rainfall warnings: Banja Luka, Prijedor, Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Visegrad regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Gospic and Knin regions in Croatia; Central and East Macedonia, East and West Peloponnese, East Sterea and Evia, and Epirus regions in Greece; and most of Serbia.

• Yellow heavy snowfall warnings: Banja Luka, Foca, Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Visegrad regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Continental and Mountains Region in Montenegro, and Belgrade, Eastern Serbia, Pomoravlje, Sumadija, and Western Serbia regions in Serbia.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Knin, Rijeka, and Split regions in Croatia, East and West Macedonia and East Peloponnese regions in Greece, and across Montenegro.

• Yellow mixed precipitation and strong wind warnings: Across central, eastern, northern, and western Romania.

• Yellow strong wind warnings: Karlovac, Knin, Osijek, and Zagreb regions in Croatia, across Kosovo, and across Serbia.

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.