Late October will be warm and mostly sunny, with temperatures above normal for the season. A clearer cold snap will come only in early November, climatologist Prof Georgi Rachev forecasts.

Storms with thunder and heavy rain hit overnight, and the weather is now slowly calming. In some places the storm was very strong and the rain was heavier than forecast, Rachev said. A cold front linked to cyclone Adam, whose features have already changed, is moving over Bulgaria. Strong wind is blowing in Sofia and across much of western Bulgaria.

Saturday and Sunday will be fairly warm, with sun and spells of cloud. No weather problems are expected for Sunday's presidential election. The climatologist says weather is no excuse not to vote, because personal conviction is what counts.

Next week will also be warm, with highs of 18-19C. There will be brief showers in some places on Monday and Tuesday, then the sun will return.

On the coast, autumn weather will be pleasant, with morning fog in places from moisture coming off the sea.

For now autumn remains fine and warm, Rachev said. It is very warm across Europe, above normal for the time of year, and the Balkans are no exception.

When the cold arrives, the average daily temperature in Sofia and western Bulgaria may fall below 12C, which is one of the conditions for switching on central heating.

The climatologist also expects calmer weather in late October or early November, the so-called Indian summer.