Heavy snowfall brings chaos to Bosnia

While most regions are experiencing snowfall, only the southernmost parts of Herzegovina are seeing rain. Meteorologists have warned that by Thursday, the country will face snowfall levels not seen in years.

Travel disruptions and school closures

Snowfall has caused major traffic disruptions, particularly in the northern and northwestern regions. Key mountain passes like Makljen near Gornji Vakuf and roads in Bihać have been severely affected, with school closures reported in the Una-Sana Canton due to heavy snow.

Sarajevo is also grappling with snowfall, while the Konjic-Sarajevo highway and sections of the A1 are covered in snow, requiring extreme caution. In Žepče, long traffic jams have formed, and heavy snow has disrupted routes like Jajce-Mrkonjić Grad and Tuzla-Bijeljina.

In Banja Luka, local services have struggled to clear roads, leading to chaotic conditions.

BIHAMK warns drivers

The Bosnian Automobile Club (BIHAMK) has reported numerous challenges on the roads. Routes such as Ormanica-Gradačac have been closed due to intense snowfall, and heavy vehicles are banned on sections like Srebrenik-Gračanica and Posušje-Blidinje. Drivers are advised to use winter equipment and avoid unnecessary travel.

“Snow is falling across most of Bosnia, slowing traffic, while Herzegovina remains mostly wet. Caution is essential on icy roads, bridges, and tunnels,” BIHAMK stated, urging drivers to adapt their speed to conditions.

Weather warnings and forecast

BH Meteo has issued an orange alert for strong winds and heavy snowfall, with some areas already receiving 20 cm of snow. The Federal Hydrometeorological Institute predicts that the snowstorm will persist, with significant snowfall expected until Thursday.

Authorities continue to urge citizens to exercise caution and prepare for challenging conditions in the days ahead.