Winter

The unseasonably warm weather in the tourist hot spot region of Antalya and the prolonged summer conditions have disrupted the hibernation patterns of bear families and turtles, causing stress among the animals.

Climate change is effectively reducing the year's seasons to two, according to the head of the Greek Meteorological Society.

"We have observed the expansion of summer into the fall, while winter - especially the winter of 2023 - is showing higher temperatures, mainly because of climate change," Panagiotis Nastos told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

Forecaster Petar Yankov has foreseen a change in weather patterns, heralding the end of the current warm spell by January 7. According to Yankov, light rain is expected in Kyustendil and Sofia today, accompanied by light snowfall in Western Bulgaria.

This morning, at 5:27 a.m., the astronomical onset of winter commenced, marking the start of the winter solstice as well. As per the Institute of Astronomy's calendar, this day signifies the sun's southernmost position for the year. Today's sunrise is at 7:53 a.m., while sunset is expected at 4:55 p.m., providing a daylight duration of 9 hours and 2 minutes between December 20 and 24.

Slovenians saw in the arrival of 2023 in the warmest weather on record with temperatures in some parts of the country exceeding 15 degrees Celsius on New Year’s morning. The night was exceptionally balmy, at well over 10 degrees.

Türkiye will experience the autumn effect between October and December, while the season's first snowfall is expected to arrive at the beginning of the new year, from January through March, due to a weather phenomenon called "La Nina," a prominent Turkish meteorologist has said.

The astronomical summer comes on June 21 at 12:13 p.m. Bulgarian time. This year the beginning of summer will bring us a lot of sun and high temperatures.

The good weather will continue during the week, with short-term precipitation and thunderstorms in the afternoon after June 22. But rainfall and thunderstorms are common this year in late spring and early summer.

Divibare Mountain has been under snow for several days now, and the height of the white blanket is additionally increasing with today's precipitation.

The eastern Turkish province of Iğdır that borders Iran, Armenia and Nakhichevan has become a haven for migratory birds thanks to geographical conditions.

The wetlands in Iğdır became colorful with birds as they began to flock to the region from the southern hemisphere following seasonal change.

With temperatures dropping below minus 19 degrees Celsius in the ongoing winter season, Turkey's eastern province of Ağrı has become the coldest city in the country. (DHA Photo)