Yellow and orange warnings: over 30 litres of rain per square metre in 24 hours, over 20 litres in Skopje

Macedonia is under a yellow warning today, and the south-east under orange. The cause is cyclonic activity from the Mediterranean, bringing a new wave of heavy rain: locally more than 30 litres per square metre in 24 hours, and more than 20 litres in Skopje and the surrounding area.

Count the whole forecast period up to Tuesday and the numbers get bigger. According to the Hydrometeorological Service, many places can expect more than 25 litres in 24 hours, locally more than 60 litres over the whole period, and more than 40 litres in the Skopje valley. The heaviest rain was expected overnight into Tuesday.

In the high mountains, above 1,700 to 1,800 metres, it will snow, and in the north-western mountain areas the snow line may drop to around 1,500 metres. Morning temperatures today range from 2 to 11 degrees, daytime from 8 to 14. The wind will blow from the north and north-west, at times stronger along the Vardar valley.

Meteorologist Slavčo Poposki advises people to be careful and follow the situation, especially where the rain will be heaviest. Caution is also needed on the roads, wherever water collects during heavy rain. The question for the authorities is simple: were the storm drains cleaned before the rain, or will they get cleaned after the water is already standing in the streets?

The good news is that a gradual calm is expected from Wednesday, and the following days will be mostly dry, with cooler mornings.