Hail, Rain and Destructive Winds: Extreme Storm Alert Issued for the Balkans

The Balkans are expected to face one of the most powerful episodes of extreme weather this summer, according to the European Storm Forecast Experiment.

The center has issued its highest-level alert (Level 3) for part of the region, warning that dangerous storms will develop from Tuesday into the early hours of Wednesday.

The areas considered most at risk are southern Croatia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro. Albania, meanwhile, is included in the Level 1 risk zone, where similar weather phenomena are expected, but on a limited scale. Meteorologists warn that the situation could develop into a major outbreak of powerful storms spreading from Italy toward Southeastern Europe.

These storms are expected to bring very large hail, winds of destructive intensity and isolated tornadoes. Across the Western Balkans, including Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, southern Serbia and Albania, atmospheric conditions are considered favorable for the development of very severe storms.

There is a possibility that powerful storm systems forming over Italy could cross the Adriatic and strike the region. In addition to the Balkans, alerts have also been issued for parts of Italy, Romania and Bulgaria.