Our colleagues Zoran Pasarić and Ivana Herceg Bulić presented the first results from the meteorological monitoring network on Biokovo Mountain at the 37th International Conference on Alpine Meteorology (ICAM) held this fall. A short summary of their poster, co-authored by D. Paar, M. Boras, L. Ćokarić, K. Protrka, and H. Škrabić, is provided below:

Mountain areas are extremely sensitive to climate change, but they are also an indicator of it. As part of the CroClimExtremes project, the first measurements of temperature and relative humidity were taken on Biokovo, a Croatian mountain known for its complex topography and extreme climatic conditions. In February 2024, 22 measuring devices were installed along two transects - on the slope facing the sea and on the one facing inland. In addition, two rain gauges and an automatic weather station were set up to measure precipitation, air temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and speed and total solar radiation. The measurements are carried out to investigate the meteorological conditions on the coastal and inland sides of the mountain and to detect possible extreme weather conditions. The first results of these measurements are presented here with the aim of comparing the vertical profiles of the measured variables, their diurnal and seasonal variations and identifying possible influencing factors.

Our team member Ksenija Cindrić Kalin participated in the EMS conference held 8–12 September 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. She presented the results of the CroClimExtremes project focusing on climatological analysis and trends of sub-daily rainfall extremes in Croatia.

This summer, Geophysics student Domagoj Berečić successfully completed his professional practice with us by conducting mobile air-temperature measurements in Zagreb. 🚴‍♂️

His campaign covered three areas: Lake Jarun, Novi Zagreb East, and Novi Zagreb West.

The measurement routes were designed to include both built-up and green environments, with the aim of quantifying the cooling effect of vegetated areas relative to the surrounding urban fabric. These locations are particularly relevant for citizens of Zagreb, as they are frequently used for recreation (cycling, barbecuing, playgrounds, etc.).

Measurements were carried out on sunny summer days during two intervals — morning (05:00–07:00) and afternoon (12:00–14:00) — following the established methodology of Žgela et al. (2024).

The results are presented in the carousel below.

Dear CroClimExtremes fans, 

Are you a hiker? If so, we’d love your help!

We're conducting a short, informative questionnaire to better understand how weather affects mountain visits. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete, and your input will contribute to important research. Fill out the questionnaire here.

Thank you for your time and support!

The CroClimExtremes Team

A new air pressure sensor (Sutron Accubar 5600-01203A) has been installed in Bakar. The sensor is highly sensitive and capable of detecting rapid changes of several hPa within just a few minutes. It was acquired in collaboration with the Faculty of Science, University of Split (through projects ERC-StG-853045 SHExtreme and Institutional project Development and improvement of oceanographic and meteorological measurement systems of the Republic of Croatia) and installed at the Bakar station, next to the tide gauge. This addition to our existing suite of instruments will enhance our ability to detect the passage of small-scale atmospheric disturbances and their impact on sea level. A visual presentation of the collected data is available on the Bakar station website, while both visualization and data download are available on the Faculty of Science, University of Split website.

Sara, Marijana, and Ana presented their results at the international conference Challenges in Meteorology 10, held in Zagreb on May 8–9, 2025. You can find details of their presentations at the following links:

• Sara → https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-skup/880844

• Marijana → https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-skup/885399

• Ana → https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-skup/882445

Here we go again! 😄

Our project associates were back on Biokovo to check the instruments, collect data, and replace spent batteries — and of course, to enjoy some quality team-building time.

Our team members Zoran and Dalibor were back in action this April! They headed up to Biokovo to collect data from our instruments and replace the ones that had mysteriously stopped working—while of course taking time to enjoy the stunning mountain views 🏔️.

Exciting news from the Adriatic! The Bakar tide-gauge station, Croatia's oldest, has just gone viral! You can now access our 1-minute measurements, recorded by a radar sensor, on the IOC server.

A workshop on the characteristics of climatic conditions and meteorological extremes in the natural environment of a complex topography was held in Makarska and Biokovo. Presentations and discussions provided knowledge and skills for data collection, processing, visualization and interpretation of results on climatic conditions in mountainous regions. The 'CroClimExtremes" project was also presented to experts and the interested public at the "Adrion - the heart of the mountains' presentation center on 8 October 2024. The objectives of the project were presented, with a special focus on the measurements carried out in the Biokovo area in cooperation with the Biokovo Nature Park public institution. The preliminary results of the measurements carried out were also presented and the important role of the meteorological station installed near the Sky Walk was emphasized. The presentation itself was preceded by an interview by the project leader, Prof. Ivana Herceg Bulić, on the TV program 'Good morning, Croatia', which was met with great public interest. The Sky Walk weather station was also visited, the instruments were checked and the data downloaded.

Ivana and Marijana are back in action!

They presented their work in Lecce at the 7th MedCLIVAR and the 12th SISC Annual Conference. Marijana presented the results of her PhD thesis on the characteristics of Dubrovnik's urban climate under current, future and extreme conditions. Ivana spoke about the impact of ENSO on the climate variability of the North Atlantic and Europe, the contribution of certain tropical oceans and the role of the northern extratropical Atlantic as a signal amplifier realized by the local interaction between the atmosphere and the ocean.

In September 2024, our dynamic duo went back to Biokovo to gather data from the HOBO sensors installed across the mountain. Well, this job has its perks—especially for those who love mountains and long, scenic walks! 😄🏞️

This September, our team members Ivana and Marijana presented their research findings at the EMS conference in Barcelona. Their work is focused on the impacts of the extratropical North Atlantic SSTs on the ENSO signal in the North Atlantic-European region and on characteristics of dry and hot extreme events in Croatia.

Check out how hard we've been working!

In June 2024, we installed even more instruments, this time at Biokovo’s Skywalk. In addition to temperature and humidity, we're now measuring wind, precipitation, and solar radiation. You can find a graphical presentation of the data here.

In May 2024, we installed HOBO stations along a walking path on Biokovo. A total of 23 instruments were deployed to measure temperature and relative humidity at an 10 min temporal resolution. The data collected will be used to determine the characteristics of climatic conditions in such a complex terrain and, in particular, to study the characteristics of extreme weather conditions that pose a particular danger to visitors to these areas.

In February 2024, our colleagues conducted their first fieldwork, visiting Biokovo to survey the terrain and determine optimal locations for instrument installation. Photos from this trip are displayed below in the photo carousel.

The first work meeting was held on 31 January 2024 at the Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Science (Zagreb). Researchers from several institutions attended the meeting: the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb (PMF-Zg), the Faculty of Science, University of Split (PMF-St), the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ), the Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade (Serbia), Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, and Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (CMRS). Co-workers discussed objectives and work planned for the first project year.