Winds and weather in Croatia

Cyclones and anti-cyclones

The schedule of cyclones and anticyclones over the territory of Central and Southern Europe influences on the weather changes in Adriatic. The direction of cyclones over the Adriatic is from west to east. They most often bring southerly winds (then along the Adriatic, "south" blows most often). The south brings warmer and wetter air, and accordingly the weather becomes rainy. After the cyclone, with the anticyclone intensifies and spreads to the east of Europe, the wind becomes north-easterly and becomes cold and dry. "Bora" disperses the clouds. After "Bora" and a temporary cooling, the weather stabilizes. Until the new cyclone, the weather will remain nice, cloudless.

This rhythm of weather changes on the Adriatic is normal. It differs only in the frequency and direction of the cyclone. Cyclones are rare in summer, and mostly move to the north of the Adriatic.

Winds

Bura is a cold wind that blows from the mountain ridge near the sea toward the sea. It raises sea dust, which reduces visibility. Bura is known for the "cap" of clouds that seem to flow over the tops of the mountains. On the north of the Adriatic it is Mount Velebit; in the south, Mount Mosor and Mount Biokovo. Bura most often does not blow for more than three days, sometimes it blows for less than 24 hours. Bura can develop very quickly (within a few hours), which is dangerous for yachtsmen.

Jugo is a south-easterly wind. Blows along the Adriatic when a cyclone passes over Adriatic area. This wind brings rain and clouds, and the atmospheric pressure drops. Jugo develops slowly, you can usually see it two or three days before it begins to blow. Generally, Jugo is much longer than Bura, 5-7 days and even longer in the winter. A possible so-called dry Jugo is one that lasts a few days, without rain.

Maestral is a good wind, a friend of yachtsmen and all those who enjoy the sea, because it regulates the summer heat. It is a north-westerly wind, which comes because of the differences in the speed of the heating of the land and sea. It blows during the period from spring to autumn; it is strongest in July and August. It usually comes at 9 or 10 o'clock in the morning, reaches its maximum in the afternoon and drops off sharply at sunset. In the north of the Adriatic, Maestral is generally less than in its southern part.

Nevera is most unpleasant on the Adriatic. It blows from the west from the open sea at high speed. It rarely appears in spring, much more often it appears with the begining of autumn. At the first sign of Nevera, you need to take steps to sail away from the direction of the storm.