Snow

Significant snowfall has been recorded in the final weeks of the year across nearly all mountainous regions of the country, while, as of December 28, approximately 10 percent of the nation's land area is covered in snow, according to the online weather service Meteo.

The National Meteorological Service (EMY) has issued an updated weather warning on Friday, forecasting a new wave of severe weather starting Saturday.

While rainfall and snowfall are expected to ease in most areas on Friday, conditions will worsen across eastern Greece by Saturday.

Traffic police have been warning drivers in areas with ice and snow to use snow chains, after long traffic jams were reported near some ski resorts because of cars becoming stuck on the roads.

A winter scene is set to unfold from Friday evening, according to meteorologist Klearhos Marousakis, who detailed in a post how the weather system following “Elena” will progress.

Hundreds of people were unable to reach Vitosha Mountain for the much-anticipated start of the ski season, as the mountain's two main access roads were not cleared of snow. The congestion of vehicles attempting to reach the Aleko hut began in Dragalevtsi, forming a traffic jam stretching for kilometers. The road was eventually closed due to a stuck snowplow.

Christmas with snow, thunderstorms and gale force winds brings bad weather “Elena” to Greece.

According to meteorologists, intense phenomena are expected, with snowfall, strong winds and storms in many areas of Greece.

The holiday period in Bulgaria is expected to bring substantial precipitation and a notable drop in temperatures, resulting in rain turning to snow across many regions. Snow cover is likely to form in some areas, creating challenging conditions on mountain passes.

The Petrohan Pass remains fully closed to traffic due to numerous fallen trees obstructing the road, as reported by Nova TV. This has prompted authorities to direct drivers to alternative routes. Those traveling from Sofia are advised to detour via Iskrets, Svoge, and Vratsa, while traffic heading in the opposite direction is being redirected through Varshets.

On November 29, the weather in Bulgaria will be mostly cloudy, with rain showers in the western regions and snow falling in the mountains above 1,600 meters. A northwesterly wind will bring in cold air, causing rain to turn into snow in higher altitudes, particularly in the western half of the Pre-Balkan Mountains.

The most severe November snowstorm to hit South Korea's capital in more than a half century blanketed the capital on Nov. 27, grounding hundreds of airplane flights and disrupting commuter traffic.