Hot and stormy July 22: up to 40° in the interior, stable sea near Burgas

On July 22, the weather in Bulgaria will be typical for summer, but with a clearly defined hot peak and increased instability. According to the 15-day forecast of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, around July 22–23, it is expected to be "very hot" in the lowland part of the country, with maximum temperatures reaching about 40°, followed by a brief cooling and precipitation in the coming days. At the same time, the Black Sea coast will remain mostly sunny, with high temperatures and good conditions for the sea.

Burgas and region

In Burgas on July 22, forecasts show typical summer, sunny, and hot weather. The day will be "sunny, hot in the afternoon", with maximum temperatures around 30–31° and minimums around 20–21°. The wind near Burgas will be light to moderate, mainly southeasterly, with speeds around 3–5 m/s, a typical sea breeze. The probability of precipitation on the coast is low – under about 20%, as more significant short-term precipitation and thunderstorms are expected rather in the interior and the eastern half of the country.

The sea water temperature near Burgas at the end of July is usually around 24–26°C, and the national sea bulletin reports values around 25°C for the region with a sea state of 1–2. Long-term water temperature data shows that at the end of July it can reach up to 26–27°C, and in some years even 29°C have been measured near Burgas. With these parameters, the preliminary safety assessment for swimming along the Southern Black Sea coast and near Burgas on July 22 is green flag – very good conditions for the beach and sea, with attention only to the strong sun and high UV index.

Sofia and region

In Sofia and the surrounding areas, July 22 will be hot, but cooler than the extreme maximums in the interior. The maximum temperature will be around 24–26°, and the minimum – around 17°, with weather "cloudy, rain with thunderstorms". The probability of precipitation is very high – around 90%, and the forecast amount of rain for the day reaches about 3.6 mm, which indicates serious short-term precipitation in the area.

The wind in Sofia will be light to moderate, around 5 m/s, mainly from the northwest, with an incursion of cooler air. The day starts with more moderate temperatures, but in the afternoon, cumulonimbus clouds will intensify, with a risk of thunderstorms and temporary wind gusts. There is no sea water in the area and no flag assessment applies, but it is recommended to avoid open areas during a storm.

Eastern Bulgaria

In Eastern Bulgaria – Northeastern and Southeastern Bulgaria – a combination of hot weather and increased atmospheric instability is expected on July 22. Around July 22–23, "showers and thunderstorms" are observed in the country during more unstable weather, with conditions for short-term rain and thunder in the afternoon hours. At the same time, the maximum temperatures in the eastern lowland part remain high – around 32–35°, and the minimums – around 20–22°.

It is around July 22 that a noticeable decrease in temperatures begins compared to the hottest days around July 20, but despite this, periods of intense rainfall, strong thunderstorms, and conditions for hail remain in the eastern half of the country. The wind in Eastern Bulgaria will be light to moderate, with a change in direction from southeast to northeast, which brings cooler air at the end of the day. The sea water temperature along the eastern coast (Varna, Shabla) remains around 24–26°C, with a sea state of 1–2. For swimming along the eastern beaches, the general guideline for July 22 is a green flag during most of the day, with a possible transition to a yellow flag during local afternoon thunderstorms.

Western Bulgaria

In Western Bulgaria, July 22 will be a day when the heat begins to give way to cooling and rain. At the end of the second ten-day period of July, a temperature drop begins, and around July 22, maximum values in most of the country fall below 30°, accompanied by short but very intense precipitation, strong thunderstorms, wind gusts, and conditions for hail, especially in the eastern half and the Rhodopes.

In the western and central regions, maximum temperatures on July 22 are expected to be around 27–30°, and minimums – around 16–18°. The wind will be moderate to strong, most often from the northwest, bringing cooler air. Local downpours and thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon hours, especially in the Danubian Plain and around the mountains. There is no sea water in these areas and no flag assessment applies, but caution is recommended due to possible strong storms.

In the mountains

In the mountain ranges on July 22, there will be sunny periods in the morning, but cumuliform and cumulonimbus clouds will intensify in the afternoon. On this day, more unstable weather is expected over the country, with conditions for short-term precipitation and thunder in the afternoon hours. This applies particularly to the western and central mountains, as well as the Rhodopes.

The maximum temperature at about 1200 m will be around 30–33°, and at 2000 m – around 24–26°, which shows that despite the rain, the day remains hot at altitude. The wind along the ridges will be light to moderate, from the west-southwest, before orienting to the northwest as the cooler front passes. Hiking conditions are good in the morning, but it is important for tourists to follow the forecasts in the afternoon and avoid exposed areas during thunderstorms.

Black Sea coast

Along the Black Sea coast on July 22, forecasts show "sunny, hot in the afternoon" weather. Maximum temperatures along the seashore will be around 30–33°, and the sea water temperature – around 24–26°C, with a sea state of 1–2. The wind along the coast will be light to moderate, southeasterly, a typical sea breeze that will bring coolness to the land.

Compared to the interior, the Black Sea coast will remain the calmest zone – sunny weather prevails, with only local short-term rain and fast-moving thunderstorms possible. With these parameters, the general preliminary safety assessment for swimming along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast on July 22 is green flag – very good conditions for the sea, with attention to the strong sun and high UV index.

The weather forecast was prepared with the support of our partner Atmosbg.