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According to the most current radar image, the storm cell with hail is currently moving along the border with Croatia in the northeast direction and has “grazed” the northernmost part of the country, near the tri-border of Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary.
The storm hit Ptuj and the surrounding area in the last hour, and photos and videos of the hail are spreading on portals and channels in Slovenia.
During the evening, the western and central part of Slovenia was hit by a strong thunderstorm accompanied by stormy wind, rain and hail, and judging by photos and videos from social networks, there is more serious material damage in some places.
The Facebook page Neurje.si broadcasts scenes from Škofja Loka, where there was hail the size of golf balls. The storm cells moved from Italy towards the northeast and at one point affected the regions north of Ljubljana. Residents of Komenda report that “everything was destroyed, the garden, trees, protections” and that they were left without electricity.
Radar images show that the storm front is currently approaching Croatia. The State Hydrometeorological Institute has activated an orange weather alert for the Zagreb region (from 20:00 onwards) and the Osijek region (from 22:00 onwards), due to the threat of thunderstorms and wind.
EARLIER
The storm front that developed over Italy has reached Slovenia and is expected to cover the entire country during the evening. The Slovenian environmental agency Arso warned of the possibility of heavy downpours and hail. Due to storms that can bring heavy precipitation, strong wind gusts, hail and lightning, the Slovenian Environmental Agency (Arso) has issued an orange warning for the entire country, writes Index.
A stronger storm line developed in the afternoon over the neighboring Italian provinces, and reached Slovenia around 6 pm. Locally, strong showers with hail, stronger wind gusts and frequent lightning strikes are possible. Hail could damage agricultural areas and crops, while heavy downpours could cause flash floods and local flooding.
Arso advises caution
Lightning, which can cause fires, is also a danger, which is why Arso urges citizens to be careful. “During a storm, it is necessary to take shelter in a safe building or vehicle, and not stay outdoors under trees, power lines or near water courses,” they state on their website. Tramontana is also possible along the coast.
The website Neurje.si published a more detailed forecast on its Facebook profile. “In the next half hour, there is a high probability of developing violent storms in the area of Tolmin, Kobarid and the wider vicinity of Nova Gorica.
The storm is heading towards Croatia
It is expected that the main part of the storm belt will move towards Jesenice, but a somewhat more southerly direction of the storm, which could also affect other parts of northwestern Slovenia, is not ruled out,” they stated.
After Slovenia, the storm system will continue its path towards Croatia. The State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ) says that a marked change in weather is expected during the night from Wednesday to Thursday. Thunderstorms, hail and gusts of wind are possible, especially in central and eastern Croatia.
