Blizzards

January 8 is set to bring a shift in weather patterns across Bulgaria, with cloudy skies and rainfall anticipated throughout the region. A moderate to strong northwesterly wind, veering to north-northeasterly in the Northeast, will usher in a drop in temperatures, marking the transition to colder conditions.

The lowest temperature is from zero in the south to 10 in the north of Serbia, and the highest from 10 to 16 degrees Celsius. Temperatures remain above average, and snow is possible only on high mountains above 1,600 m above sea level.

Europe is grappling with transportation chaos and severe flooding attributed to the impact of Storm Gerrit. Parts of the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Germany have witnessed inundation as several rivers overflowed their banks.

A messy mix of snow and rain wreaked havoc in parts of the country, as roads were closed to traffic in the province in the eastern and southeastern Anatolian region due to heavy snowfall and blizzards causing low visibility.

Transportation was severely disrupted in the provinces of Tunceli, Hakkari, Kars and Sivas, with some vehicles stranded on the roads.

Greeks traveling to central Europe were stranded on Sunday in grim conditions due to severe snowstorms. 

At least 100 Greek travelers were stranded at Budapest Airport on Sunday due to severe weather conditions. 

Rainfall will continue and cover the entire country. In many places they will be considerable in quantity. Even before noon, the rain will turn to snow in the mountainous regions and in some places in North-Eastern Bulgaria, and by the end of the day, wet snow will fall in many places in the rest of the country. A snow cover will begin to form in the evening.

In a boon for skiers but a bane for sailors, a cold front that is currently making its way to the Adriatic is expected to hit Greece on Friday, bringing snow to the north and gale-force winds at sea, and making balmy temperatures plummet. 

The minimum temperatures today will be from minus 1°C to 4°C, and the maximum from 2°C in Northwestern Bulgaria to 8°C in the east.

Northwestern Bulgaria anticipates a chance of precipitation in the morning, while rain persists in the southeastern regions. Meanwhile, snowfall is forecasted for mountainous and Northeastern Bulgaria, likely forming a thin snow cover. The mercury is expected to dip, with temperatures ranging from minus 3°C to 2°C, dropping to around minus 3°C in Sofia.

Local storms with strong wind and mild temperatures are forecast from late afternoon on Sunday until the evening hours of Monday.

The eastern and southern parts of the country expect local heavy rains and storms, hail and strong gusty winds.