Climate - Croatia

The climate in detail

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• Adriatic coast - Istria, Pula, Dalmatia, Split, Dubrovnik
• Dinaric Alps - Gospic, Zavizan
• Northern plains - Zagreb
• When to go
• What to pack

Adriatic coast

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On the Adriatic coast, the climate is Mediterranean, but in the northern part, where winter is quite cold and summer remains quite rainy, it can be described as transitional Mediterranean.
In autumn and winter, the sirocco brings rainfall, while in summer, a north-westerly breeze, called mistral, blows.
Rainfall is quite abundant on the entire Adriatic coast, but especially in the cities located at the foot of the mountains (see Rijeka), where between 1,000 and 1,500 millimeters (40 and 60 inches) of rain fall per year. Otherwise, on the west coast of Istria (see Rovinj) and on the islands, rainfall amounts to 800/1,000 mm (31/40 in) per year.
Summer is sunny throughout the coastal strip, with occasional rains or thunderstorms, most likely in the north, in Istria; only in the northernmost zone, where Rijeka is located, the rains are quite frequent and abundant even in July and August.

Istria

The northern coast, in Istria (see Pula, Pola in Italian) and in cities such as Rijeka (Fiume), has fairly mild winters, with an average in January around 5/6 °C (41/43 °F), but with sudden drops in temperature when the Bora blows, a violent wind coming from the freezing Russian plains. However, snowfalls are rare and not abundant because continental air is dry. In these cases, the temperature can drop as low as -10 °C (14 °F).
Summers are warm and sunny, sometimes hot, though the breeze tempers the heat. Sometimes, there can be cool days, with rains and a bit of Bora, even in summer. There can also be hot and sultry periods, with highs of 35 °C (95 °F) and more.

Pula

Here are the average temperatures of Pula.

Here is the average precipitation in Pula, where 870 mm (34 in) of rain fall per year.

In Pula and in the Northern Adriatic, the sun does not shine very often in winter, while in summer, it frequently shines (though less than in the southern part). Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The temperature of the sea is warm enough for swimming in summer, especially in July and August, but also in September.

Dalmatia

In Dalmatia, the Croatian coastal region to the south of Istria, the climate becomes progressively milder.
In the northernmost islands (see Cres, Krk, Rab), winter is still quite cold, while in the central part (see Losinj, Pag, and on the coast where Zadar, Sibenik and Split are found), the average in January rises to around 8 °C (46 °F).
In winter, however, outbreaks of cold air are possible here as well, with a wind similar to the Bora (though somewhat milder), especially at the mouth of the valleys, where the air is channeled between the mountains. In these cases, the temperature can drop as low as -6/-7 °C (19/21 °F).
Compared to Istria, summer in Dalmatia is a bit warmer and sunnier. Very hot and muggy periods are more frequent and of longer duration, especially in the cities (and a little less on the islands).

Split

In Split (Spalato), the daily average temperature ranges from 8.3 °C (47 °F) in January to 27 °C (80.5 °F) in July. Here are the average temperatures.

In Split, 800 mm (31.5 in) of rain fall per year, with a Mediterranean pattern, so with a summer minimum.

In Split, the amount of sunshine is slightly higher than in the northern part of the coast, and it is very good in summer.

In Split, the sea temperature is a bit warmer in winter compared to the norther part, while it is quite the same in summer.



In the southern part of the coast, south of Split, in the islands of Brac, Hvar, Vis, Korcula and Mljet, and in the city of Dubrovnik (Ragusa), the January average reaches 10/11 °C (50/52 °F).

Dubrovnik

Here are the average temperatures in Dubrovnik, located in the southernmost part of the coast.

The southern part of the Dalmatian coast, as well as being milder, is also more rainy. In Dubrovnik, 1,100 mm (43 in) of rain fall per year. Here is the average rainfall.

In Dubrovnik and in the southern part of the coast, the sea temperature is practically the same as in Split.

Dinaric Alps

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The Dinaric Alps separate the Mediterranean world from the interior plains. The highest peak in Croatia, which also gives its name to the mountain range, is Dinara (1,831 meters or 6,007 feet), on the border with Bosnia.
In the area of the Dinaric Alps, the climate is more continental, but is very rainy (and snowy in winter) because of the proximity to the sea, especially on the slopes exposed to the west and south. In fact, in the most humid areas, precipitation can even reach 3,000 mm (120 in) per year.

Gospic

In Gospic, located less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the coast, and 550 meters (1,800 ft) above sea level, the average temperature in January is 0 °C (32 °F), while in July and August it's 19.5 °C (67 °F).
During winter, cold waves can occur, with noticeable peaks (even -30 °C or -22 °F). In spring, pleasant days alternate with the return of cold weather, with possible snowfalls even in April. During summer, some afternoon thunderstorms are possible, and nights remain cool, but sometimes, the days can be hot.
Here are the average temperatures.

In Gospic, rainfall is abundant, amounting to 1,400 mm (55 in) per year. Here is the average rainfall.

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in this area, about 550/600 meters (1,800/2,000 feet) above sea level.

Zavizan

At higher altitudes, winter is freezing and summer is cool. Here are the average temperatures at the Zavizan mountain hut, at 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), in the northern Velebit national park.

Here, precipitation is even more abundant, and is close to 2,000 mm (78 in) per year. Here is the average precipitation.

Northern plains

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In the northern and eastern plains, the climate is continental, with cold winters and hot summers, and with a rainfall pattern different from that of the Mediterranean: summer is the rainiest season, mainly because of thunderstorms occurring in the afternoon, while in winter, although precipitation is frequent, it is not abundant.
The western part (see Zagreb, Varazdin), where precipitation exceeds 850 mm (33.5 in) per year, is rainier than the eastern one, where it drops to 750 mm (29.5 in) per year (see Slavonski Brod). In the extreme east, on the border with Serbia, in cities like Osijek and Vukovar, where the autumn rains are poorer, annual precipitation drops to around 700 mm (27.5 in).
Winter is cold, cold drizzle or snow often falls, days can be dull and foggy, but sometimes, cold air masses from Russia can lower the temperature to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Summer is warm or even hot, with pleasant days alternating with hot and sultry days, with some chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Sometimes there may be heat waves, with highs of 37/38 °C (99/100 °F).

Zagreb

In Zagreb, the capital, the monthly average temperature ranges from 1.5 °C (34.5 °F) in January to 22 °C (72 °F) in July.

Precipitation is quite abundant, about 885 mm (35 in) per year, with a minimum in winter and a maximum between summer and autumn. Here is the average precipitation.

The sun in Zagreb is rarely seen in winter, while it shines quite often in summer, though not as often as along the coast.

When to go

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For a beach holiday, the best months are July and August. It is worth while to recall that the northernmost part of the coast (Istria, Rijeka) can sometimes experience thunderstorms, or rainy days even in summer, which are rarer along the coast of Dalmatia.
In general, autumn rains (which can be heavy in the coastal area) begin in the middle of September. In autumn, the moist southerly winds prevail.
You can visit the rest of Croatia (inland regions, including the capital) from May to September. The sun often shines, but during the afternoon, thunderstorms are possible (on average, one day every 3 or 4).
In July and August, it can be hot at times, especially in the plains and in inland valleys, so those who don't like the heat may prefer May, June and September.

What to pack

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In winter: in inland areas, bring warm clothes, a hat, a down jacket, a scarf, gloves, and a raincoat or umbrella. On the coast: bring warm clothes, a coat, and a raincoat or umbrella; a hat, a scarf, and gloves for the days with the Bora.
In summer: bring light clothes, T-shirts, but also long pants, a light jacket and a sweatshirt for the evening and for cooler days, especially in inland areas and in Istria; an umbrella or raincoat, especially in inland areas and Istria.

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