The
weather across Croatia
doesn’t vary dramatically from north to south though it is generally warmer
towards the south. The climate does change from continental to Mediterranean as
you move toward the Adriatic Sea and the
equator. The sea has a moderating influence that keeps winters warmer and
summers cooler than might be expected.
THE DALMATIAN COAST
The
Dalmatian coast and the offshore islands of the Adriatic are Croatia’s most
well known, and most visited, tourist destinations. Whether you choose to start
your journey in Split, at the top of the
Dalmatian coast, and sample a few islands before ending in the amazing walled
city of Dubrovnik,
or pick one spot and relax for a week or two, you are bound to be astounded by
the beauty of Croatia’s
landscape.
The
Dalmatian Coast is home to a Mediterranean climate
that boasts long hot summers and mild winters. Atypical of a Mediterranean
climate, rainfall is generally moderate year round towards the north but
towards the south it follows the Mediterranean dry summer wet winter pattern to
a greater extent.
The
most popular time to visit the region, and when the most suitable weather
occurs, is during the summer months from June to September. Summers along the
coast and in the islands see about 10 to 12 hours
of sunshine per day and temperatures
in the mid to high 20’s, occasionally reaching into the 30’s in the very
height of summer. Croatia
boasts very low humidity, sitting at about 60%, so even in the scorching sun
the heat is bearable; you are also never far from the crystal waters of the Adriatic which you can dive into to cool off.
Dubrovnik, in the south,
sees minimums
throughout summer of about 14°C to 16°C and maximum daily temperatures of
25°C to 28°C. In this season the city only sees about 3 to 6 days of rain per
month. July is, on average, the driest month in the area; July only records
about 26 mm of precipitation.
Much
like the Greek Islands, this popular tourist area
becomes somewhat of a ghost town come wintertime. While the islands may close
down and many businesses may shut their doors, trips to the bigger cities of Dubrovnik and Split are still
enjoyable as there are a lot of sights to take in.
Keep
in mind that winters see significant rainfall and the hours of daily sunshine
fall to about 3 to 5 hours as the sky becomes overcast and the rainfall
consistent. On average, each month throughout winter will experience about 13
to 15 days of rain per month; November is generally the wettest month of the
year. Minimums will sit at about 0°C and maximums at 7°C in the coldest month
of January. On the coast subzero temperatures rarely occur. A little way inland
it regularly falls below freezing and frosts are common but snow is still rare.
Brac is one of the
Adriatic islands; a beautiful spot to visit if you take one of the ferries from
Dubrovnik, Split
or one of the other islands. Hvar and Korcula are
another two islands that are recommended with the glitz and glamour of Hvar rivalling
Monte Carlo as the playground for Europe’s rich and glamorous. Korcula is the birth place
of Marco Polo so there is plenty of history on top of the amazing scenery.
Brac boasts 134 days
of clear sky per year and the temperature falls below 0°C only once every 3
years. In July and August the average daily temperature sits at 24°C which is
the same temperature as the water surrounding it – perfect for swimming diving,
jet skiing or simply lying on one of the many beautiful beaches.
NORTHERN
AND CENTRAL CROATIA
The
very north of Croatia
is home to the Pannonian Plains, which are lowlands that hold a continental
climate with hot summers and cold winters. Within this region you will find the
country’s capital city of Zagreb.
See here for
average conditions in Zagreb.
Central Croatia becomes mountainous as the Dinara
mountain range takes over the terrain. This area hosts an alpine climate and
large forests with the average winter range spreading from -5°C to freezing, and
15°C to 20°C in the summer months.
As
you move into Croatia’s
interior and head toward Serbia, conditions become more extreme as you leave
behind the moderating influence of the Adriatic Sea.
Varying altitude has an affect on the weather; at higher points on the Dinara Mountains
you can find snow cover for much of the year.
Moving
further to the east the mountains lessen and the terrain melts into the low-lying
valleys of the Danube. Here, in winter it is
much colder and there is significantly less rainfall all year round.
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