ZAGREB, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Six of Croatia's eight main weather stations have set new records this year for the longest uninterrupted heat wave with a health impact, the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) said Monday.
According to the DHMZ, the longest uninterrupted heat wave that met the criteria for a health impact between 1950 and 2025 lasted 17 days. This year, that record was broken at three weather stations.
The longest heat wave this year was recorded in the northern Adriatic port of Rijeka, where it lasted 20 consecutive days. In Split, on Croatia's Adriatic coast, it lasted 19 days.
The analysis also found four new records for the duration of the most severe "very high danger" heat risk category. Rijeka recorded the longest period, 10 consecutive days in August, while Split recorded nine consecutive days of very high danger in late June, three days longer than its previous record.
The prolonged heat has coincided with severe drought across much of Croatia this summer, drying out vegetation and fueling a destructive wildfire season. Last week, a major fire near the coastal town of Omis injured more than 40 people and caused extensive damage. Numerous other fires broke out along the Adriatic coast, fueled by high temperatures and strong winds.
