Climate

is within the Mediterranean subtropical belt. This mountain range,at the edge of the Adriatics,is a barrier to theworm and wet air flows from the sea, which cause enormous precipitations, usually distributed during the cold period of the year. During winter, precipitations come in a form of snow, which can be few metres high. In shaded areas and on the altitudes above 16oom, snow cover is there to the first days of May, and sometimes even to the beginning of June. Precipitations in summer are more than scarce, and there are years with no precipitation at all, like in the Mediterranean climate type. Average temperature at the altitudes of 1000 m is 8⁰ C. The coldest month is January, with average temperature 0,5⁰C, while the hottest month is August with average temperature of 18⁰C. South wind (Jugo) brings warm weather and heavy precipitation. It comes from south-east and blows with a continuous strength. Then comes the south-west wind, usually causing thunderstorms. It doesn’t last long and is replaced by Bora, which causes a significant fall of temperatures. Gusts can be very powerful, changing intensity and direction. Generally, it comes from the north-east. In summer, when there are no cyclonic activities, weak to moderate winds are common, east wind in the morning, south wind in the noon, and west winds in the afternoon. Even in these days certain atmospheric instabilities can occur, followed by north or north-west winds, heavy rainfalls and thunders.

Microclimate conditions on Orjen are very different, depending on the altitude, side of the mountain,distance from the sea and vegetation. Temperature drops by 0,6⁰C For every 100m of altitude. Still, this occurrence is unstable, depending on the current meteorological conditions. For example, in spring when the sea is still cold, an inversion of temperature is possibleeven on a sunny day. Southern slopes are wormer and less humid, especially during fall and winter, when the Sun is low and the temperature difference can be upto 15⁰. On the other hand, when the weather is cloudy and windy these differences are minimal. Absence of streamflow of  surface waters causes existence of numerous big or small depressions, usually karstified valleys,where during the cold  clear sky nights,cold air accumulates, causing the drastic differences in temperature between lower and uplifted areas, whereas the uplifted areas are much warmer. At the same time these depressions are places of intensive condensation,with dews and frost.

Thunders are very common on Orjen. Unlike the inland, here it isn’t unusual snow,ice and thunder combination.

The least chance for precipitation to happen is when Bora wind is blowing. Bora disperses clouds in a short period of time, especially those low, rainy clouds. At the same time Bora enables best visibility. Humidity level is very low, 15-45 percentage. Bora weather conditions are best for hiking as long as the wind is not too strong. Periods of great Bora intensity should be avoided, especially if hiking in the open ridges, or in the woods, as the strong wind could break even the big tree branches.