Rain is forecast for much of Bulgaria on Saturday, with heavy rain and thunder on the southern Black Sea coast. A northerly wind will bring in cold air and temperatures will drop sharply. The forecast issued on 31 October had pointed to rain mainly in the west and centre, and highs of 13–14C on the coast.

South-eastern Bulgaria will get the heaviest rain, and there will be thunder over central and eastern areas.

How it all started: Rain on Saturday across most of Bulgaria, up to 14C on the Black Sea coast

The day will start cloudy, with fog in the lowlands. The wind will ease to moderate, blowing from the north-west in most areas and from the north-north-east in eastern Bulgaria. Before noon the rain will begin to clear from the north-west, and the cloud will break up and thin out.

Overnight lows will range from 7C to 12C – about 7C in Sofia and a little higher in south-eastern Bulgaria. Daytime temperatures will be 8–10C in parts of northern Bulgaria and up to 16–18C in the south. Sofia will see about 9C.

On the coast it will stay cloudy and wet, with a moderate wind from the north-north-east. Highs will reach 17–19C on the southern coast and 12–13C on the northern coast. The sea temperature is 15–16C, and the sea state will be 2–3.

The mountains will also get rain, turning to snow above 1,700 metres. The north-westerly wind there will be moderate to strong and it will turn colder – about 7C at 1,200 metres and about 3C at 2,000 metres.

Sunday morning will be cold, between 0C and 5C, with daytime highs of 7–12C. The wind will ease and by evening will swing round to the south-east everywhere, bringing warmer air. It will be cloudy, with light showers in a few places.

The first days of next week will stay cloudy too, with fog in the lowlands. Rain is unlikely on Monday, the cloud will keep breaking up, and daytime temperatures will be 2–4C higher. Tuesday will be warmer still, with a strengthening south-westerly wind, and rain is expected in north-western Bulgaria.

Wednesday will stay windy and warm. The rain will stop for a short time, then pick up again later in the day.