Meteorological bureau: Bulgaria’s March 2026 temperatures deviated from monthly norm
Average temperatures in Bulgaria in March 2026 ranged from four to 10 degrees Celsius, deviating about minus 1 to plus 1.5 degrees C from the monthly norm, the national meteorological bureau said on March 31, citing preliminary data.
The highest measured temperature was 22.1 degrees on March 26 in Rousse.
The lowest minimum temperature at a weather station in a populated area was minus 8.2 degrees in Samokov on March 1, and the lowest temperature measured on a mountain peak was minus 14.5 degrees on Musala Peak on March 21.
In Sofia, the highest measured temperature is 16.4 degrees on March 12, and the lowest, minus 4.5 degrees on March 1.
Amounts of precipitation varied from 11 per cent, in Karlovo, to 165 per cent, on Botev Peak, of the climatic norm.
The largest amount of precipitation was from March 28 to 30, most abundantly on March 28, mainly in the western half of the country and the Balkan Mountains, and on March 30, in Eastern and Central Northern Bulgaria.
The largest measured 24-hour precipitation amount was 52.8mm in the village of Vardun, Turgovishte region, on March 30. In Sofia, the monthly precipitation amount was 42.8mm, which is 94 per cent of the norm, and the maximum 24-hour precipitation was 24.9 mm on March 28.
From the beginning of the month until March 27, there was snow cover only on the highest parts of the mountains. With the precipitation that began on March 27, a thin snow cover also formed in the lower mountain areas, mainly in Western Bulgaria.
The highest snow cover in a settlement was measured in the village of Manastir, Smolyan region, on March 25, 30cm, and on a mountain peak, 310 cm on Botev Peak on March 30.
On March 28, large hail damaged cars and greenhouses in Krumovgrad.
On March 30, as a result of heavy and prolonged rainfall, the Cherni Lom River overflowed its banks and flooded agricultural lands, yards, the church and the mosque in the village of Aprilovo, Popovo municipality.
River water levels were around and above the average water thresholds. As a result of precipitation from March 28 to 31, river levels increased throughout Bulgaria, the meteorological bureau said.
(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)
