site.btaUPDATED Highest October Temperatures in Bulgaria to Range between 28C and 33C, Lows: minus 2C to 3C

The highest temperatures in October in Bulgaria will be between 28C and 33C and the lowest - between minus 2C and 3C, higher in Eastern Bulgaria, Dr. Krasimir Stoev, a forecaster at the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH), who has prepared the weather forecast for October, told BTA. 

According to him, 2024's average monthly temperature in October is expected to be around and above the norm, which in the plains is between 11C and 15C, in the high plains - between 10C and 13C, and in the mountainous regions - from 0C to 7C. 

Monthly rainfall totals will be around the norm, which for most of the country is between 40 and 70 litres per square metre, and for south-eastern areas is between 50 and 100 litres per square metre.

At the beginning of October, atmospheric pressure will increase - precipitation will stop, clouds will break and subside, wind will weaken. On October 2-3, morning temperatures will drop and in the valleys and high fields will be between 0C and 3C, and frosts will form there. 

What will the weather be like during the three 10-day periods of October?

Sunny weather will prevail most of the first ten days, with fogs forming in the plains and lowlands before noon and dissipating around midday. Temperatures will gradually rise. A weak atmospheric disturbance will pass in the middle of the 10-day period. There will be temporary increases in cloud, but only isolated areas of light rain and temperatures will relatively decrease. 

At the end of the first and at the beginning of the second 10-day period of October the dynamics of atmospheric processes over the Balkan Peninsula will increase. A cold front will pass through the country. Clouds will increase and rain will fall in places from west to east. Temperatures will temporarily decrease. Temperatures will remain warmer than usual over the next few days until the end of the second 10-day period. Sunny weather will prevail, with morning fog in places in the plains. A cold front is expected to pass again towards the end of the period as northwesterly winds strengthen. Rain will fall in places and temperatures will relatively decrease.

During the first half of the third decade, air masses will move in from the southwest and temperatures will be significantly higher than usual. Clouds will be patchy, considerable over western areas where there will be showers in places, and fog in the plains. In the second half of the decade the dynamics of atmospheric processes over the Balkan Peninsula will increase. Precipitation is more likely to occur. Temperatures will drop significantly and will approach the usual levels for late October.

Characteristic features of the month

October is a typical autumn month. Average daytime temperatures fall markedly during the month. Mornings are cold and fog is becoming more common. Cold air mass intrusions become more frequent and frosts form when it clears. The number of gloomy and rainy days increases. 

The average number of gloomy days in October is six to nine. In the mountains, snow always falls in the highest parts. At the same time, there are many clear days, known as periods of "returning summer". The sea water temperature is still relatively high and along the Black Sea the temperatures remain higher and the likelihood of frost is negligible.

Astronomical reference

In early October, the sun rises in Sofia at 7:24 am and sets at 7:07 pm. The length of the day is 11 hours and 43 minutes.

At the end of the month the sun rises at 7:00 am and sets at 5:20 pm. The length of the day is 10 hours and 20 minutes.

The phases of the moon during the month are: new moon on October 2, first quarter moon on October 10, full moon on October 17, and last quarter moon on October 24.