Southeastern Europe: Adverse weather forecast across parts of southeastern Europe through at least Sept. 17

Event

Thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds are forecast across parts of southeastern Europe through at least Sept. 17. The affected area includes parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Storms may be accompanied by strong wind gusts, lightning, and possible hail storms.

As of Sept. 15, the respective meteorological agencies in the affected countries have issued the following weather warnings over the coming days:

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Csongrad-Csanad, Somogy, Tolna, and Zala counties in Hungary; parts of northwestern, Alba, Arad, eastern and southeastern Bihor, northern and eastern Bistrita-Nasaud, western Caras-Severin, southwestern Cluj, northern and eastern Hunedoara, western, central, eastern, and northeastern Maramures, and Timis counties in Romania; Banat, Belgrade, Pomoravlje, southwestern Serbia, Srem, Sumadija, and western Serbia regions in Serbia, and central, northeast, northwest, and southwest regions in Slovenia.

• Orange heavy rainfall warnings: Trebinje Region in Bosnia and Herzegovina; parts of northwestern, Alba, Arad, eastern and southeastern Bihor, northern and eastern Bistrita-Nasaud, western Caras-Severin, southwestern Cluj, northern and eastern Hunedoara, western, central, eastern, and northeastern Maramures, and Timis counties in Romania, and Backa, Banat, Pomoravlje, Sumadija, and western Serbia regions in Serbia.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Trebinje Region in Bosnia and Herzegovina; the rest of Hungary not under orange warnings; across western, central, and northwestern Romania; across all regions of Serbia not under orange warnings, and southeast region in Slovenia.

• Yellow heavy rainfall warnings: Banja Luka, and Prijedor regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Csongrad-Csanad, Somogy, Tolna, and Zala counties in Hungary; and Belgrade, Srem, and southwestern Serbia regions in Serbia.

• Yellow strong wind warnings: Banja Luka, Bihac, Foca, Livno, Prijedor, Sarajevo, Trebinje, Tuzla, and Visegrad regions in regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; across mountainous regions of western, central, and northwestern Romania, and across Slovenia.

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

Hazardous Conditions
Storms could produce rounds of heavy precipitation, strong winds, and isolated thunderstorm activity across the affected area. 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 stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Transport
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.

Advice

Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business arrangements before traveling in areas where thunderstorms are forecast. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where severe weather is forecast; plan for possible supply chain disruptions throughout the affected areas. 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. Charge battery-powered devices in case prolonged electricity outages occur.

Resources

MeteoAlarm
Bosnia and Herzegovina Federal Hydrometeorological Institute
Hungarian Meteorological Service
Romania National Administration of Meteorology
Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (RHMS)
Slovenia Environment Agency (ARSO)