The lowest temperatures in January in our country will be between minus 20 and minus 15 degrees Celsius, on the Black Sea coast - between 10 and minus 5 degrees, and the highest temperatures will be between 10 and 15 degrees. This was announced to BTA by Chief Assistant Professor Dr. Krasimir Stoev - a forecaster at the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH), presenting the weather forecast for January in the country.
In January, the average monthly temperature is expected to be around the norm, which in Northern Bulgaria and in the highlands is between minus 2 and 1 degrees, along the Black Sea coast, in the Upper Thracian Lowland and in the Struma River Valley - from 0 to 4 degrees, and in the mountainous areas - between minus 10 and minus 3 degrees.
The monthly precipitation amount will be around and above the norm, which is between 30 and 70 liters per square meter.
January will start with sunny weather, but precipitation and a drop in temperatures are expected on January 4 and 5
The month will start with warm and mostly sunny weather, in places in the lowlands with short-term morning fog. On January 4 and 5, the dynamics of atmospheric processes will increase. The probability of creating precipitation conditions and a decrease in temperatures increases. After a temporary cessation of precipitation and a slight increase in temperatures, precipitation will begin again at the end of the period, mainly from snow.
During most days of the second ten days, the weather will be determined by a series of Mediterranean cyclones passing through the country or south of it. There will often be precipitation, mainly from snow. During the period, temperatures will be lower than usual, and precipitation will be above climatic norms.
During the first days of the third ten days, the weather will be calm, anticyclonic; in places in the plains - foggy. Temperatures will relatively increase. In the second half of the period, the probability of precipitation and a significant decrease in temperatures increases.
January has the lowest temperatures in our country, the absolute minimum is minus 38.3 degrees since January 7, 1947 in Tran
January is the coldest and snowiest month of the year, and it usually determines the nature of the winter - mild, normal or harsh. In January, there is the greatest probability of invasions of Arctic air from the north, which often form Mediterranean cyclones and create conditions for prolonged heavy snowfalls - a typical winter. In Northern and Eastern Bulgaria, this is often combined with a strong northerly wind. There are snowstorms, drifts, and drifts form, which further complicates the winter situation.
The average monthly number of days with snow cover is the highest in Northwestern Bulgaria - about 20, and the lowest on the Black Sea coast - from two to five.
Usually in January are the days with the lowest temperatures of the year - after the invasion of Arctic air, the wind subsides, and the weather clears. The absolute minimum for the country is minus 38.3 degrees, measured in the town of Tran on January 7, 1947.
In January, there were also intense warmings, during which temperatures rose to 20-23 degrees, explains Chief Assistant Professor Dr. Krasimir Stoev.
The Astronomical Report for January
At the beginning of the month, the sun in Sofia rises at 7:57 a.m. and sets at 5:30 p.m. The duration of the day is 9:6 p.m.
At the end of January, the sun rises at 7:42 a.m. and sets at 5:38 p.m. The length of the day is now 9 hours and 56 minutes.
The phases of the moon during the month are: January 7 is the first quarter, January 14 is the full moon, January 21 is the last quarter, and January 29 is the new moon.