A sudden and severe snowstorm has brought chaos to Croatia and its neighbors, causing hundreds of people to spend the night in cars, petrol stations, and reception centers. The storm, which came after a period of warm weather, has cut off parts of Croatia and snarled up traffic in Serbia and Bosnia. The Croatian authorities have closed roads leading to and from the Adriatic Sea coastline due to heavy snow and strong winds, leaving many stranded travelers unable to reach their destinations.
Cars and buses are parked along the main Croatian highway, waiting to move on, as officials urge people to postpone any planned trips. “We all knew it (bad weather) was coming,” said senior emergency official Damir Trut. “I am really surprised people didn’t listen.” According to Natalia Turbic, local emergency official in Gracac, about 300 people have stayed in the reception centers set up to accommodate those affected by the storm. Others have sought private accommodation or found shelter in gas station cafes.
Stranded travelers have been sleeping on the floor or in chairs, awaiting a resolution to the situation. A group of football fans traveling from Zagreb to Split were among those stuck on the road, with one passenger, Melita Ancic, advising people to “be patient” in these extraordinary circumstances. Marijan Grubisic, a passenger traveling from Germany to Bosnia, described the conditions as “tough, lots of snow, very hard, very cold”.
Snowstorm Havoc in Croatia and Beyond
While the situation is most dramatic in Croatia, neighboring regions have also been affected. Serbia’s state railway company has reported that trains to Montenegro are not running, due to fallen trees and power supply issues. The towns of Prijepolje and Bajina Basta in western Serbia were without electricity overnight, while Bosnia has seen heavy snow and wind slow down traffic, especially in the mountains. Authorities are urging caution, citing landslides and fallen trees as major concerns.
The storm has brought a sudden and dramatic change in the weather to the region, with many left to contend with the challenging conditions. Hisashi Iwakuro, a Japanese tourist, likened the situation to a “nature wonder”, with the snow-covered streets and buildings creating a serene yet breathtaking atmosphere. Despite the difficulties, many are taking the situation in stride, with some even finding humor in the unexpected turn of events.
