Extreme weather approaching; Red alert issued: Maximum caution advised

The warning was issued due to the possibility of sudden storms accompanied by thunderstorms and large hail.

The State Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia (RHMZ) has initiated a procedure to send emergency SMS alerts to citizens because of severe weather conditions forecast over the next 24 hours in parts of Serbia. The areas particularly at risk include the Zlatibor, Morava and Raška districts, as well as Kosovo and Metohija and southeastern Serbia, according to an urgent RHMZ warning.

According to the Emergency Situations Sector warning, the highest, red-level alert for extreme weather events has been issued today for the southern parts of the Zlatibor, Morava and Raška districts, Kosovo and Metohija, and southeastern Serbia — especially the Toplica, Jablanica and Pčinja districts.

Very strong thunderstorm systems are expected to develop and move toward Serbia from the Adriatic region, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The most intense and dangerous systems are expected to affect primarily southwestern, southern and southeastern parts of the country.

As they move, these storm systems may rapidly intensify, bringing large and locally very large hail (more than 5 cm in diameter), as well as violent hurricane-force wind gusts (over 100 km/h), which could cause significant material damage.

There is also a risk of thunderstorms in other parts of Serbia south of the Sava and Danube rivers, but the greatest danger of extreme weather events is expected in southwestern, southern and southeastern Serbia.

Citizens are therefore advised to exercise maximum caution and avoid outdoor activities if there are no nearby solid and safe structures, given that these storm systems may arrive suddenly.