Early in the morning a heavy snowfall put the road traffic in Sofia in chaos. The traffic is running in winter conditions. The main boulevards in the city were almost blocked due to the bad conditions and not cleaned roads. The public transport in Sofia is running about 15-20 minutes behind schedule. The public transport servicing Bankya and Dragalevtsi living estates is hampered. The traffic is further impeded along open and steep roads due to silver frost.
There are snowfalls in many parts of the country.

Sliven: It is snowing
It is snowing in the town if Sliven, FOCUS News Agency reporter announced. There is already a snow cover on streets of the town. Road surfaces are wet and slippery. Measured temperature is 0 degree Celsius in Sliven. The weather is calm. It is expected snowing to continue throughout the day.

Taking off and landing of aircrafts at Sofia Airport runs normal
Sofia Airport flights have been taking off and landing throughout the morning, director of the airport Plamen Stanchev said for FOCUS New Agency.
The landing-strip has been treated with chemicals after snow-plough machines had removed the snow. Currently the stopping effect is the rate between satisfactory and good. Landings are smooth. Aircrafts set in a line before taking off for being sprayed with antifreezing liquid, which causes about 10-15min delay of flights.

Road situation in the country is calm
According to data of the regional road departments situation in the country is calm by 11:30am, press centre of National Road Infrastructure Agency reported. All republican roads are passable under winter conditions. There are no closed road sections. Over 500 snow-cleaning machines clean and treated the republican roads with sand.
The due organization has been launched for securing the passability of the country roads.
The following passes remain closed for the whole winter season: Etropole – Zlatitsa, Tvarditsa – Elena, Troyan – Karnare and Varbishki pass.

Traffic of buses that serve Bankya and Dragalevsti routes is hampered
Companies that are responsible for snow cleaning in the capital started with treatment of roads last night, the press centre of Sofia Municipality reported.
Traffic in Sofia runs under winter conditions. Vehicles of the public transport travel with about 15-20 minutes delay. Traffic of buses that serve Bankya and Dragalevsti living districts in the capital is hampered due to snowy roads.

Avalanche hazard in Bansko winter resort
Weather is overcast and snowy in Bansko winter resort, duty officer of the Mountain Rescue Service told FOCUS – Pirin radio. The newly formed snow cover is about 10-15cm. All the outfits in the resort are working with the exception of the four-seated chair lift from Banderishka Poliyana to Todorka peak. Todorka and Tomba ski-runs have been closed due to icy sections.

MRS: Weather conditions in mountains are not suitable for skiing
Weather conditions in mountains are not suitable for skiing, press centre of the Mountain Rescue Service with the Bulgarian Red Cross told FOCUS News Agency.
The Mountain Rescue Service warns that visibility is reduced due to the snow cover which worsens conditions for skiing.
It is snowing in mountain resorts of Bansko and Pamporovo and on Vitosha and Stara Planina mountains.
Weather in mountains is overcast and calm. Measured temperatures vary from -7 and -5 degrees Celsius.

It is snowing in the town of Gotse Delchev
It is snowing heavily in the town of Gotse Delchev, FOCUS – Pirin radio reporter announced. Weather in Gotse Delchev is cloudy but warmer compared to yesterday. Measured temperature is 2 degrees C.

Sofia: huge traffic jams along Bulgaria Blvd
Huge traffic jams have been formed along Bulgaria Blvd in the capital city Sofia, FOCUS News Agency reporter announced. Lines of cars have been formed in downtown direction. Traffic is hampered especially at junctions. Road surfaces are covered with snow and slippery with ice. There are no traffic police officers to control the traffic.

Pazardzhik: It begin to snow
It began to snow in the town of Pazardzhik, FOCUS – Pazardzhik radio reported. Road surfaces in the town are wet. Traffic is smooth along main roads and junctions in Pazardzhik.

Slippery roads in the capital city Sofia
Road surfaces are wet in the capital living districts and in the foot of Vitosha mountain, FOCUS News Agency reporter announced. It is snowing in Sofia and traffic is impeded.

read more...