Alarms raised! RHMZ warns citizens

The entire territory of Serbia is under an orange alert due to high temperatures, while an orange thunderstorm warning has been issued for the regions of Srem, Banat and Bačka.

Warm weather will continue, with today and the weekend (September 5 and 6) expected to be particularly hot, with maximum daily temperatures reaching around or above 35°C in most areas. From Tuesday to Saturday (September 1 to 5), temperatures will be more pleasant, ranging from 30°C to 34°C during the day.

The RHMZ has also issued a warning of extreme conditions for the ignition and spread of wildfires.

High temperatures, combined with a lack of rainfall and occasionally stronger winds, will continue to contribute to the drying out of vegetation and a heightened risk of wildfires breaking out and spreading in open areas.

Water levels on the Danube, Sava and the Tisa near Titel will remain below low navigational levels over the coming days.

On the Kolubara and its tributaries, the Jadar, Toplica and Vlasina rivers, the tributaries of the West Morava and Great Morava, as well as the Black and White Timok rivers, water flows have approached the minimum monthly average values corresponding to 95% low-flow assurance (the biological minimum).

Weather today

According to the forecast, today will be sunny and very warm, with light to moderate southerly and southeasterly winds, which will occasionally be strong in southern Banat.

Later in the afternoon, brief rainfall is expected in the hilly and mountainous areas of southern and southwestern Serbia, accompanied by localized cloud development.

Printskrin/RHMZ

The maximum temperature will range from 34°C to 37°C.

In the evening in the north, and overnight in the western, central and eastern parts of the country, a temporary increase in cloud cover with rain and thunderstorms is expected, accompanied by a shift in winds to the northwest.

Agricultural drought

A warning has been issued for agricultural drought. The prolonged drought, combined with high temperatures, has led to continuous water and heat stress affecting crops.

In many areas, severe stress has already forced crops to prematurely end their growing cycle, resulting in lower grain weight and reduced yields of field crops.

Continued drought and high temperatures pose an additional risk to the soil water balance, as available moisture reserves continue to be depleted.

This is particularly important for perennial crops and the preparation of crops for the next production season, as prolonged water shortages may have consequences even after this year’s growing season ends.

A lack of soil moisture could make pre-sowing preparation and the planting of winter crops more difficult if dry conditions persist.

Farmers are advised to exercise increased caution due to the high risk of field fires breaking out and spreading across dried-out farmland.