Bulgarian Weather & Climate Information
The Bulgarian Climate
Bulgaria as a whole is considered to be in a moderate climate zone. There are two distinct climate zones with the Stara Planina Mountain being the watershed between them. One of the country's best features is the distinct four seasons that they experience as well as the favorable climate year-round.
Bulgaria . . . Offering Four Distinct Seasons
Winter: Winters are colder in Northern Bulgaria and much milder in the Southern part of the country. Winter temperatures vary between 0° and 7°C below zero. Very rarely temperatures may drop below 20°C below zero.
Spring: The spring climate is typical continental and changeable. It provides a favorable environment for the growth of the growth of the native fruit-bearing trees whose fruit is has been renowned in Europe for centuries.
Summer: Summer is hot and sweltering in Northern Bulgaria, especially along the Danube River. The climate in Southern Bulgaria is determined by the air-currents from the Mediterranean.
Summer temperatures do not reach the extremes as in Dobroudzha and along the Danube and are usually moderate: about 28°-30°C. The highest readings are usually taken in the towns of Rousse and Silistra, sometimes reaching above 35°C.
Autumn: Autumns are mild and pleasant in Bulgaria. The multi-coloured forests in autumn add to the picturesque landscape. Autumn showers are more frequent than in spring. May, October and November are the rainiest months.
The Mountains of Bulgaria
Over half of Bulgaria is made up of mountains. The Balkan Mountains separate Bulgaria into two parts. They reach the Black sea to the east and the Bulgarian-Serbian border to the West.
The plains and the lowlands cover large areas of the both sides of the Balkan Mountains. The Danube plain is the biggest, bordering river Danube to the north and the Balkan Mountains to the south.
The southern part of the country has broad and irregular Rhodope Mountains, which form the boundary with Greece. At their western end are the Rila Mountains with Musala, the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula (2925 m) and the Bulgaria second highest mountain Pirin. The Black sea is the eastern boundary of Bulgaria and its coastline is 378 km. long.
