Bulgaria warned of potentially dangerous weather because of low temperatures on January 7
All of Bulgaria was subject to a “code yellow” potentially dangerous weather warning for January 7, with low temperatures expected throughout the country.
Weather forecasts varied, with one predicting Sofia would see a minimum minus 18 degrees Celsius and a high of minus 13 on January 7, and another predicting the capital would have a low of minus 15 and a high of minus 8.
Temperatures were expected to fall further on Sunday, with minus 19 predicted as the minimum for Sofia, minus 21 in Kyustendil, minus 17 in Dobrich and minus 18 in Vratsa.
On January 6, as snow piled up in various parts of Bulgaria, the winter situation was worst in the north-eastern part of the country, where many roads were closed and there were numerous power cuts.
According to power distribution company Energo Pro, a total of 550 settlements in north-eastern Bulgaria had no electricity on January 6.
At 3pm on Friday, Trakiya Motorway was still closed to all vehicles between Zimnitsa and Bourgas.
Hemus Motorway was closed in the regions of Shoumen and Varna.
Most mountain passes in Bulgaria were closed, with the exceptions of the Haniboaz, Pamporovo, Rozhen and Prevala passes, where vehicles were required to use chains on their tyres.
Snow cover on Shipka Pass was more than 40cm.
Because of the severe weather conditions, trains to and from Bulgaria’s Danube city of Rousse were seriously delayed, by up to 90 minutes.
Bourgas Airport re-opened in the afternoon after suspending work earlier because of poor visibility and heavy snow.
Along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastline, passes were closed but roads were open, with motorists cautioned to drive according to winter conditions.
(Main photo: (c) Clive Leviev-Sawyer)
/Panorama
For updates on the weather situation this coming weekend in Bulgaria, please regularly visit foreignersandfriends.com and sofiaglobe.com. For Bansko updates, please visit banskoblog.com
