Slovenia breaks June heat record
The first heatwave of the summer in Slovenia peaked on 26 June with record-breaking June temperatures, followed by storms that brought some welcome rain but also some disruption.
A new national June air temperature record of 38.4 degrees Celsius was measured in Črnomelj Dobliče in the south after Črnomelj reported 25 degrees as early as 7am, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.
Temperatures exceeded 35 degrees at 27 measuring stations across the country on 26 June.
The mercury rose above 37 degrees in several places, including Metlika (south), Lendava (northeast) and Ravne na Koroškem (north). Several measuring stations broke their own temperature records.
The previous record of 38 degrees Celsius for the month was recorded in Podnanos in the southwest on 28 June 2022.
The intense heat was accompanied by an orange storm warning for the entire country as a weather system moved in from Italy overnight. Storms also rolled in from Austria in the north.
While the systems weakened as they moved across Slovenia, they still brought hail to parts of the south-central Notranjska and northeastern Štajerska regions, while strong winds felled trees in some areas.
Reports suggest the area around Postojna, southwest, was hit hardest. Hail damaged many roofs and cars there.
The western Primorska region, which has been experiencing drought like the rest of the country, received very welcome rainfall, with Ajdovščina recording 42 millimetres in a brief period.
Other parts of Slovenia had less precipitation, with averages between five and 15 millimetres.
The storms were accompanied by strong winds, which reached 72.8 kilometres per hour near Nova Gorica in the west, leading to reports of felled trees.
Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to be slightly cooler over the coming days. The sea, however, remains warm at over 27 degrees Celsius, with temperature climbing to 28.5C off the shore of Koper.
Lake Bled was also warm at 26.5 degrees Celsius, while Lake Bohinj was somewhat cooler at 23 C.
