site.btaThis Has Been One of Driest Octobers in Bulgaria in 21st Century

Average monthly temperatures in the outgoing month of October ranged between 10C and 16C with a deviation from the monthly norm between minus 1C and 3C, according to a report published by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) on Wednesday. October 2024 was cooler than October 2023 and one of the driest Octobers in this country since the beginning of the century, the report says. 

The highest temperature of 34.2C was measured in Chirpan, Stara Zagora region, on October 4. The lowest minimum temperature in a settlement was minus 6C and was registered in Chepelare, Smolyan Region on October 21, and the lowest temperature measured on a mountain peak was minus 6.9 C on Musala Peak on October 1. In Sofia, the highest temperature, 27.5C, was registered on October 4 and the lowest, minus 0.7C, on October 20.

In most parts of the country, monthly rainfall totals are below the climate normal, ranging between 0% and 50% of it. There are stations in southern Bulgaria without rainfall, for example Sandanski and Sadovo. Rainfall totals are above 50% mainly in northeastern Bulgaria (Krushari, Dobrich Region) and in some parts of western Bulgaria. October 2024 has more rainfall than October 2023 but remains one of the driest October months in Bulgaria since the beginning of the century. The largest measured 24-hour rainfall was 44 mm of rain in Sofia's Gorna Banya residential district on October 6.

The first mass frost formed in the high valley areas on October 1 and 2, and in the lowlands on October 18. 

In the second half of October, the weather is mostly sunny, almost calm or with very little wind, moderate with an easterly component only along the Black Sea coast. Foggy or with low stratus clouds in the plains and around water bodies in the mornings. On October 14 and 15, temperatures were relatively high, but from October 16, with a wind reversal from the north-east, they decreased and came close to climate normal. Isolated rain showers and significant clouds were registered during the last days of the month. 

Rivers

In October, the level of Bulgarian rivers was below and around the water thresholds. As a result of rainfall in the periods from October 5 to 7, 10 to 13, short-term water level increase was recorded, more significant in the Iskar River. Throughout the whole month, the Fakiiska River has been dry in the area of the village of Zidarovo.

Agrometeorological conditions

In October, the drought in most parts of the country intensified and hampered the sowing of winter grains and the normal progress of the initial phases of the vegetation of sown autumn crops, except in some north-eastern regions (Dobrich). In some places in the north-western regions (Knezha and Bazovets agrostations) and in the southern regions (Kyustendil, Sandanski, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik and Chirpan agrostations) there was found to be no moisture in the 50 cm soil layer. The moisture content is also very low in the 100 cm soil layer, below 50% of the limiting soil water content.