Bulgaria is heading toward the hottest period of the year, with temperatures expected to reach around and above 40 degrees Celsius after July 25-26, according to early weather forecasts.
The final week of July is likely to bring the highest temperatures recorded in the country since the beginning of the year. Forecasters expect a sharp transition toward prolonged sunny and extremely hot conditions after a period of unstable weather.
Thunderstorm activity has already intensified across the region. Weather radars recorded around 92,000 lightning strikes over Southeast Europe on Sunday, with a significant number occurring over Bulgaria. The storms were accompanied by hail in several areas of Southwest, Central and Northeast Bulgaria.
The weather will remain changeable during the week around the Ilinden period. On Monday and Tuesday, mornings will be mostly sunny, but during the afternoons and evenings, short-lived yet intense thunderstorms are expected in Southern and Eastern Bulgaria. Some areas may experience heavy rainfall and hail, while maximum temperatures will remain between 32 and 37 degrees.
A cold atmospheric front is expected to move across the country in the middle of the week, bringing another period of unstable weather. More widespread thunderstorms, heavy showers and hail are possible, with the highest risk of severe weather remaining in southern and eastern parts of Bulgaria.
