What it is
RHMZ, the Republic Hydrometeorological Service, is the official body that publishes Serbia's weather forecast, warnings, Meteoalarm, UV index, and FWI fire-weather index. In late June 2026, those data underpinned heat cards: RHMZ warned of a heatwave, highs of 35-39 °C on June 28 and 36-39 °C on June 29, and a risk that outdoor fires could start and spread in areas with soil-moisture deficits.
Meteoalarm colors
Meteoalarm is a warning map where the color indicates not just temperature, but the danger level of a weather event for a particular region and day. Yellow means potentially dangerous weather and a need to follow the forecast; orange means dangerous weather that can disrupt normal life; red means very dangerous weather with risk to health, property, and infrastructure. So a "red Meteoalarm" phrase matters more than a normal forecast: it is a signal to check the region, valid hours, and type of hazard.
What the forecast promised
On June 28, N1, citing RHMZ, wrote about sunny and very hot weather with highs of 35-39 °C, around 38 °C in Belgrade. The same day, Danas recorded 35 °C at 12:00 in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Sombor, Zrenjanin, Kikinda, Sremska Mitrovica, and Palic, with feels-like readings of 39 °C in Novi Sad and 38 °C in Belgrade. On June 29, RHMZ again warned via N1 and Danas of 36-39 °C and a continuing heatwave; Novosti added that from Thursday through the end of the week, most places should drop below 30 °C if the forecast is not extended.
UV index and sun protection
The UV index measures risk from ultraviolet radiation, not air temperature. For June 29, 021 gave Novi Sad a UV index of 8, a very high level. The practical takeaway is to drink water, use high-protection sunscreen, wear light clothes, a wide-brim hat, and sunglasses, and avoid the strongest sun from 10:00 to 16:00. This is especially important for children, older people, chronic patients, and anyone working or waiting for transport outdoors.
Fire risk and roads
RHMZ's heat warning separately linked the weather conditions to outdoor-fire risk, especially where soil was dry and there had been no recent rain. AMSS, in N1 reports, advised drivers not to travel in the hottest part of the day; if travel is necessary, drivers should take frequent breaks and account for overheated vehicle components. For long trips, that means checking not only the temperature, but also congestion, toll-station waits, and the vehicle's condition.
Outdoor work
Heat also affects work rules. Labor-law specialist Olga Vuckovic Kicanovic told N1 that there is no separate automatic right to work from home because of heat, but for outdoor work above 36 °C an employer must provide water, shade or a cooled break area, a trained first-aid employee, and appropriate clothing. On June 29, the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure separately urged the construction sector to apply safety measures while working in heat.
Why it matters
For residents, these warnings turn a forecast into a practical daily plan: when to leave home, whether to drive between cities during the day, how safe construction or yard work is, whether to move exercise, and how to protect children and older people. For services and drivers, a red or orange signal also matters because heat increases pressure on transport, the power system, emergency medicine, and fire services.
What to check next
In each new forecast, check the warning date and valid hours, the region on the Meteoalarm map, expected maximum temperature, night temperature, UV index, fire-weather index, and any separate AMSS or city-service notices. The open question after June 30 is whether RHMZ extends the heatwave beyond the period through July 2 or confirms the expected cooling in the second half of the week.