, with cold winters and warm summers. The relatively low latitude (which is the same as central Italy) is offset by the position in the Balkan Peninsula (which is exposed to cold waves from Russia) as well as by altitude: the city is located at 550/600 meters (1,800/2,000 feet) above sea level.
is not abundant, since it amounts to 625 millimeters (24.5 inches) per year, but it is well distributed over the seasons, with a relative maximum in May and June because of afternoon thunderstorms, and a relative minimum in winter.
, from December to February, is cold: the average temperature is slightly below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F). In periods of stable weather, fog often forms. Snowfalls are frequent, but they are typically light, though they can occasionally be more abundant. However, snow covers the ground for long periods.
During outbreaks of cold air masses from Russia, the temperatures can drop by many degrees. The coldest record is -25 °C (-13 °F), recorded in February 2006.
On the other hand, when the south wind blows, which sometimes can be strong, the temperature can rise a lot, and there can be mild days, up to about 15 °C (59 °F) even in winter: the air comes down from nearby Mount Vitosha, with a down-slope, föhn-like effect. In the warm winter of 2014, the temperature reached 18 °C (64 °F) in January and 22 °C (72 °F) in February.
, from March to May, is unstable, especially in March and April: the first mild days alternate with the return of cold weather, with possible snow in March, and sometimes also in April. In May (but sometimes also in the second half of April), the first warm days occur, with highs close to 30 °C (86 °F), and also the first afternoon thunderstorms.
, from June to August, is warm and sunny, usually with cool nights, and some afternoon thunderstorms. Generally, daytime temperatures are warm but without excesses, however, there can also be heat waves, which typically do not last long, with highs about 36/38 °C (97/100 °F). Anyway, the humidity is not high and nights remain cool. The highest record is 41 °C (106 °F), recorded in July 2000 and in July 2007. In 1994 and 2015, the temperature reached 35.5 °C (96 °F) in mid-September.
, from September to November, is mild and pleasant in September, and often also in the first half of October, then it quickly becomes more cold, gray, and even relatively rainy. In October, it gets cold at night; usually, the first snowfalls occur in November, when fog becomes quite common as well.
to visit Sofia is from mid-May to late September, keeping in mind that it can sometimes be hot in July and August, and more rarely in the second half of June and in the first half of September, so those who don't like the heat can avoid these periods. You should also take into account some afternoon thunderstorms, in addition, it's better to bring a sweatshirt for the evening, and maybe even a jacket if you go in May or September.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of
-0.2 °C, with a minimum of
-3.9 °C and a maximum of
3.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-15 °C. However, it dropped to
-24 °C in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
13 °C. However, it reached
19 °C in January 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
35 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.6 kph.
February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
2 °C, with a minimum of
-2.4 °C and a maximum of
6.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-13 °C. However, it dropped to
-25 °C in February 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
16.5 °C. However, it reached
23 °C in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to
36 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.2 kph.
March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
6.2 °C, with a minimum of
1.1 °C and a maximum of
11.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-7 °C. However, it dropped to
-19 °C in March 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
22.5 °C. However, it reached
27.5 °C in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to
45 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of
11.8 kph.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
11 °C, with a minimum of
5.3 °C and a maximum of
16.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C. However, it dropped to
-6 °C in April 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25.5 °C. However, it reached
31 °C in April 2013.
Precipitation amounts to
52 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of
11.3 kph.
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
15.6 °C, with a minimum of
9.8 °C and a maximum of
21.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
3.5 °C. However, it dropped to
0 °C in May 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29 °C. However, it reached
34.1 °C in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
73 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of
10.5 kph.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.3 °C, with a minimum of
13.4 °C and a maximum of
25.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
6.5 °C. However, it dropped to
3 °C in June 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C. However, it reached
38 °C in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to
79 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of
9.8 kph.
July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
21.6 °C, with a minimum of
15.3 °C and a maximum of
27.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
9 °C. However, it dropped to
4 °C in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35 °C. However, it reached
41 °C in July 2000.
Precipitation amounts to
64 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is of
9.7 kph.
August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
21.6 °C, with a minimum of
15 °C and a maximum of
28.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
8.5 °C. However, it dropped to
6 °C in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35 °C. However, it reached
39.4 °C in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to
55 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is of
9.2 kph.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17.1 °C, with a minimum of
10.9 °C and a maximum of
23.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
4 °C. However, it dropped to
-1.4 °C in September 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31.5 °C. However, it reached
36 °C in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
53 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is of
9.4 kph.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
12 °C, with a minimum of
6.3 °C and a maximum of
17.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C. However, it dropped to
-5 °C in October 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
27.5 °C. However, it reached
33.6 °C in October 1993.
Precipitation amounts to
54 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.1 kph.
November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
6.3 °C, with a minimum of
1.9 °C and a maximum of
10.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-6.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-12 °C in November 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
20.5 °C. However, it reached
25.5 °C in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to
38 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.6 kph.
December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
1.1 °C, with a minimum of
-2.4 °C and a maximum of
4.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-13 °C. However, it dropped to
-20 °C in December 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
15 °C. However, it reached
23 °C in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.4 kph.