Serbia Swings From Snowstorm to 20-Degree Thaw

Serbia Swings From Snowstorm to 20-Degree Thaw
A sharp cold snap swept across Serbia after temperatures had reached 27°C earlier in November. In the west and mountainous regions, temperatures fell by as much as 15 to 20 degrees in a day, while snow settled across areas including Zlatibor, Tara and Kopaonik. Kopaonik recorded -1°C during a daytime blizzard, after a morning low of -4°C, while Zlatibor had up to 11 centimetres of snow. Snow was even accompanied by thunder on Tara.

The weather picture varied widely by region. Western and southwestern Serbia experienced wintry conditions, with snow also reported in Zaječar, Valjevo and Užice. By contrast, Vojvodina and Belgrade saw sunshine and mild autumn conditions after several days of rain. The contrast was described as “two seasons in one day,” with snow-covered roofs and roads in the hills and autumn colours in the north.

The change is expected to be short-lived. Forecasters said temperatures would begin rising the following day, reaching 8 to 14°C in parts of the country before a more pronounced warm-up next week. A Mediterranean and Atlantic cyclone is expected to draw warm air from the south, pushing maximum temperatures as high as 20°C—around 10 degrees above the seasonal average.

The thaw will bring unsettled conditions rather than settled spring weather. Rain and showers are expected frequently, with a possibility of thunderstorms in the middle of the week. Frost is forecast to disappear, including in the mountains, where the current snow cover is expected to melt completely. Strong southeasterly winds are also possible in the Košava region, while another cold spell could arrive toward the end of the week.