Europe: Adverse weather forecast in southern and eastern Europe through Sept. 18 /update 1

Event

Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible flooding are forecast for southern and eastern Europe through early Sept. 18. The affected area includes Bosnia and Herzegovina, most of Croatia, Hungary, most of Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, southeastern Poland, San Marino, Serbia, most of Slovakia, most of Slovenia, and western Ukraine.

As of Sept. 17, authorities have issued orange rain and thunderstorm warnings (the second-highest alert level) for Istria, Lika-Senj, Primorje-Gorski Kota, Sibenik-Knin, Split-Dalmatie, Dubrovnik-Neretva, and Zadar counties in Croatia, Campania, Lazlo, and Umbria regions in Italy, southern Subcarpathian Voivodeship in Poland, southern Central Slovenia, Coastal-Karst, southern Gorizia, Littoral-Inner Carniola, and southern Southeast Slovenia regions in Slovenia, and Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and Zakarpattia oblasts in Ukraine. Yellow rain and thunderstorm warnings are in effect for the rest of the affected area. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.

Flooding could occur in low-lying communities near watercourses and other bodies of water and urban areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream of large reservoirs may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Rain-induced landslides cannot be discounted in elevated terrain. Associated disruptions to ground travel are possible in impacted regions.

Advice

Monitor local media for weather-related updates and advisories. Confirm all transport reservations. Stay away from elevated streams, creeks, and other watercourses that are prone to flash flooding. Do not attempt to navigate flooded roadways. Exercise caution in elevated terrain due to the threat of landslides, as well as mountainous regions where avalanches pose a threat. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.

Resources

Meteoalarm
Bosnia and Herzegovina Meteorological Institute
Meteorological and Hydrological Service, Croatia (Croatian)
Meteorological Service of Hungary (Hungarian)
Servizio Meteorologico, Italy (Italian)
Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, Poland (Polish)
Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (Serbian)
Slovakia Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (Slovak)
Slovenia Meteorological Office (Slovenian)
Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center (Ukrainian)