Bulgarian Climate & Weather
Despite its relitively small area, Bulgaria has an unusually variable and complex climate. The country lies between the strongly contrasting continental and Mediterranean climatic zones. The climate in Northern Bulgaria is moderate continental, while the climate in Southern Bulgaria is intermediate continental tending to Mediterranean. Therefore, the coastal regions tends to have a milder winters than the interoir of the country, although in the summer the inland regions are usually warmer than the coasts.
Marked by four distinct seasons, Bulgaria enjoys a generally favorable climate that is one of the country's best features. Although located near the same latitude as New England and the south of France, Bulgaria's climate is noticeably more temperate. Summers are typically hot and dry, but rarely oppressive, with moderate relative humidity. Winters are cold but arent always bitter. In the south and Black Sea coastal regions, Mediterranean influences temper the harsher continental climate of the interior. The country's half-dozen mountain groups also play a significant part in determining regional variances.
Average precipitation in Bulgaria is about 630 millimetres per year. Dobruja in the northeast, the Black Sea coastal area, and parts of the Thracian Plain usually receive less than 500 millimetres. The remainder of the Thracian Plain and the Danubian Plateau get less than the country average; the Thracian Plain is often subject to summer droughts.
The many valley basins scattered through the uplands have temperature inversions resulting in stagnant air. Sofia is located in such a basin, but its elevation (about 530 meters) tends to moderate summer temperature and relieve oppressive high humidity. Sofia also is sheltered from the northern European winds by the mountains that surround its troughlike basin. Temperatures in Sofia average -2°C in January and about 21°C in August. The city's rainfall is near the country average, and the overall climate is pleasant.
The coastal climate is moderated by the Black Sea, but strong winds and violent local storms are frequent during the winter. Winters along the Danube River are bitterly cold, while sheltered valleys opening to the south along the Greek and Turkish borders may be as mild as areas along the Mediterranean or Aegean coasts
Bulgaria's most comfortable temperatures are found mid May to mid September, throughout the country.
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
December |
Avg Temp |
-2 |
1 |
5 |
11 |
15 |
19 |
21 |
21 |
17 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
Avg Rainfall |
42 |
37 |
37 |
55 |
71 |
90 |
59 |
43 |
42 |
155 |
52 |
44 |
|
Rainfall measured in mm // Temp in °C Celsius |
