Bulgaria declares ‘code orange’ dangerous weather warning in 20 regions for January 6

The “code orange” dangerous weather warning has been declared for 20 regions of Bulgaria for January 6 2017 while the lesser “code yellow” warning of potentially dangerous weather has been declared for the remainining eight regions.

The “code orange” warning is in effect for Friday for Dobrich, Haskovo, Montana, Rousse, Silistra, Smolyan, Turgovishte, Veliko Turnovo, Vratsa, Bourgas, Gabrovo, Kurdzhali, Lovech, Pleven, Razgrad, Shoumen, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Varna and Yambol.

The “code yellow” warning covers Sofia – the city and the region, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pernik, Pazardzhik, and Vidin.

The warnings were issued because of expected heavy snowfalls and strong winds.

On January 5, Bulgaria’s Electricity System Operator said that electricity consumption currently was normal for the winter, but if required, there was sufficient spare capacity to provide larger amounts of electricity.

A regular update by Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry said that as of 11am on January 5, there were moderate snowfalls in Dragoman and Kyustendil.

Temperatures in most of the country were between minus one and four degrees Celsius at that hour, the ministry said.

Precipitation would gradually cover the entire country, in western Bulgaria, mainly snow, and in the rest of the country, rain.

The ministry said that the Vurbitsa, Zlatishki, Troyan passes were closed to all vehicles.

The Vratnik pass was closed to vehicles of more than 10 tons, the Dyulinski and Pamporovo passes closed to vehicles of more than 3.5 tons, the Petrohan pass closed to vehicles of more than 12 tons and the Tvardishki pass was closed to vehicles over 10 tons.

The Shipka pass was closed to goods vehicles of more than 12 tons and vehicles towing trailers to a maximum of 10 tons.

(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)

/Panorama

Comments

comments

The Sofia Globe staff

The Sofia Globe - the Sofia-based fully independent English-language news and features website, covering Bulgaria, the Balkans and the EU. Sign up to subscribe to sofiaglobe.com's daily bulletin through the form on our homepage. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32709292