A powerful storm has swept across the Balkans, causing significant damage and resulting in the deaths of two people in Montenegro. The storm, which began in Slovenia on July 1, continued its path through Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and finally reached Kosovo and North Macedonia on the afternoon of July 2.

In Slovenia, the storm began in the northern Primorska region, where two storm cells merged into a larger system. This storm moved across central Slovenia and Gorenjska, flooding over 40 commercial and residential buildings. By early afternoon, Dolenjska experienced a supercell storm with thick hail. As the night progressed, precipitation gradually ceased, and the weather began to clear, 24ur reported on July 1.

According to Slovenia's Administration for Protection and Rescue, the storm caused flooding in residential and business buildings in the Ljubljana area. Strong winds knocked down trees, and hail damaged car windscreens on the motorway in Dolenjska region.

The storm reached parts of Croatia by the afternoon of July 1, prompting the State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ) to issue a red weather warning for Zagreb and Osijek due to the threat of severe storms. While the storm largely bypassed the Croatian capital, emergency services were busy addressing the aftermath of strong winds. The storms affected central, northern, and northwestern Croatia, with Zagreb experiencing strong winds that felled trees and broke branches, causing traffic disruptions.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic addressed the country on July 2, acknowledging the extensive damage caused by the storm. He said that the government would provide assistance once local authorities completed damage assessments, according to Index.hr.

Plenkovic compared the recent storm to the massive one in mid-July last year, which was the largest storm recorded in 150 years of weather monitoring. "As we helped last year, we will help this year," said the prime minister. 

"I am sorry for the people who were affected in Bosnjaci, as out of 1,000 roofs, 900 were damaged. So, the extent of the damage is truly significant," Plenkovic was cited as saying.

The storm struck several cities in Bosnia, causing material damage and leaving some areas without power. 

In Montenegro, the storm caused significant damage, including the collapse of three cranes in Luka Bar port and the destruction of transshipment bridges.

According to broadcaster RTCG, a construction worker at the Celebic crane in Canj died, and another person was struck by lightning in Lustica Bay. Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Filip Radulovic visited the Port of Bar and announced financial assistance from the Montenegrin government.

Serbia also experienced severe weather, with heavy cloud cover, rain, thunderstorms, and hail affecting western Vojvodina, western Serbia and Belgrade. The storm brought a significant amount of precipitation in a short period, ranging from 20 to 40 millimetres in some areas, along with strong, stormy winds, RTS reported.

Milos Milenkovic, head of the Fire and Rescue Unit Administration, informed the broadcaster that from evening to the morning of July 2, there were 28 interventions in the Belgrade area. The majority of interventions involved the removal of trees, accounting for 15 incidents. Additionally, firefighters extinguished six fires caused by lightning strikes.

A woman was injured when a tree fell in central Skopje in North Macedonia due to strong winds. She was taken to a local clinic for treatment. Initial reports also mention fallen trees caused by the storm.

Strong winds and rain have swept through multiple cities in Kosovo, following several days of high temperatures in the country. According to reports from Telegrafi, images from Peja, Podujeva, Skenderaj and Vushtrri have surfaced on social media showing the onset of rainfall.

In response to recommendations from the authorities, the Municipality of Pristina has issued safety advisories for its residents, urging caution, particularly for those walking outdoors or returning from work.