After days of heat, a sudden cooldown is coming - but not a painless one. Meteorologist Slavcho Poposki warns of a cyclonic system typical of summer, with severe weather set to hit Macedonia, and advises citizens to be extremely cautious.

According to the forecast, localised intense downpours of over 25 litres per square metre are expected in the afternoon and evening hours, a strong southerly wind at speeds of over 70 kilometres per hour, thunderstorms, and possible hail. The Skopje valley is especially exposed to the intense afternoon rain and strong wind.

„These processes can manifest as a summer storm with heavy downpours, strong wind, thunderstorms, and the possibility of hail," Poposki says, calling for caution especially in Skopje in the afternoon hours. After the unstable period, calming and dry conditions are expected in the coming days.

Summer storms here are no surprise anymore - but the damage they leave behind every year is. Flooded basements, broken trees, power cuts, cars dented by hail. The forecast is clear and timely; the question is whether the utility services and the city infrastructure will be ready, or whether, as usual, we'll be cleaning up after it's passed. Citizens' caution is good - but it can't replace the system's readiness.