Stormy winds, rain and snow have caused widespread disruption across parts of Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia, closing schools, cutting power to thousands and blocking roads. Authorities issued weather alerts for dozens of municipalities in northern and north-western Slovenia, where wind speeds reached 141 kph (87 mph), according to public broadcaster RTV SLO.
More than 15,000 people were left without electricity in the affected areas. Emergency crews worked through the night to clear fallen trees blocking roads. The RTV SLO report noted “wintry” conditions, with snow reported even in some lower parts of the Alpine nation in the south.
In neighbouring Croatia, winds swept through the capital Zagreb on Thursday afternoon and overnight, toppling trees, damaging tram lines and roofs. Authorities suspended classes in primary and secondary schools on Friday due to the bad weather. Photos on local media and social networks showed uprooted trees blocking streets or damaging parked cars. Wind speeds occasionally reached 120 kph (74 mph), meteorologist Petra Mikus Jurković said, adding: “Such lasting, strong, stormy wind is not common for the Zagreb area.”
In north-western Croatia, snowy conditions and winds led to frequent traffic accidents, warned the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK). Roads in north-western Bosnia were closed for heavy vehicles due to snowfall, and problems with electricity supplies prompted local authorities to suspend school classes until conditions improve.
Experts say that extreme weather events like this can be linked to climate change.
