Bulgaria is bracing for a swift cold front set to sweep across the country overnight, bringing a significant drop in temperatures, strong winds, and varied precipitation, according to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH).
The atmospheric pressure will rise sharply, surpassing the monthly average, signaling a dramatic shift in weather conditions.
In Eastern Bulgaria, strong southwest winds will persist before midnight, while the rest of the country will see a shift to west-northwest winds.
This change will usher in colder air and trigger rainfall, particularly in the western and mountainous regions, where the precipitation will transition into snow.
Snow cover is expected to form in some areas. By midnight, the rainfall in western regions will taper off, with cloud cover breaking apart.
Minimum temperatures overnight will dip to between -3°C and 2°C, with slightly warmer conditions along the Black Sea coast, where lows are forecasted at 3°C to 5°C. In Sofia, temperatures will plummet to approximately -2°C.
Sunny Skies to Follow for Most Regions
As the cold front exits, most of Bulgaria will experience predominantly sunny weather on Saturday.
However, Eastern Bulgaria will continue to see lingering cloudiness in the morning, accompanied by rain in some coastal areas. This rain is expected to subside later in the day, with skies gradually clearing across the region.
A moderate northwest wind will prevail nationwide, occasionally intensifying in the Danube Plain and the Upper Thracian Lowland. Maximum daytime temperatures will range from 1°C to 6°C, with Sofia peaking at around 1°C.
Along the Black Sea coast, morning rain will give way to sunny spells by afternoon. The northwest wind will remain moderate to strong, with coastal temperatures reaching 6°C to 7°C.
Sea temperatures will hold steady between 13°C and 14°C, while waves are expected to reach 2 to 3 points on the Beaufort scale.
Mountain Areas Brace for Snow and Stormy Winds
In the mountains, variable cloud cover will dominate, accompanied by snowfall in some areas.
A strong to stormy northwest wind will persist, with particularly intense gusts in the Central Stara Planina passes, creating hazardous conditions and snowdrifts.
Maximum temperatures in the highlands will reach approximately -4°C at 1200 meters altitude and around -12°C at 2000 meters.
A Gradual Warming Trend by Early Next Week
Sunday and Monday promise a reprieve from the cold and unsettled weather. Sunny conditions will dominate across the country, with winds gradually weakening to nearly calm levels.
A moderate north-northwest breeze may linger in eastern regions on Sunday.
Morning temperatures are expected to plunge further, ranging from -7°C to -2°C, with some valleys seeing lows as frigid as -10°C.
However, daytime temperatures will gradually rise, with Monday’s highs reaching a more comfortable range of 7°C to 12°C.
As Bulgaria navigates this sharp weather transition, authorities advise residents to exercise caution, particularly in mountainous regions prone to snowdrifts and strong winds.