I recently learned that the climate in Bulgaria (in the Southeast Europe region) is warming twice as fast as in the rest of the world. It sounded quite alarming, so I looked for more information on the topic. Is this true, and why is it happening?

It turns out that our region is a climate change “hot spot.” While the average global warming compared to the pre-industrial period is about 1.1°C – 1.2°C, in Bulgaria, average annual temperatures have risen by nearly 2°C (and in some areas even more) over the same period.

Why is Bulgaria warming faster?

There are several key reasons why we are not moving at the same pace as the rest of the world:

The “Europe effect”: Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world. As we are part of a large landmass, we lack the cooling effect of the oceans. Land heats up much more intensely than water.
Geographical location: We are located in a transition zone. Subtropical air masses from Africa are increasingly “breaking through” to the north, displacing the temperate climate we are accustomed to.
Reduction of snow cover: Snow reflects sunlight (the albedo effect). When winters are snowless, the ground absorbs more heat, which accelerates warming even during the cold months.

What are the direct consequences?

Warming does not just mean “pleasanter weather.” It leads to serious changes in our ecosystem:

Extreme heat: The frequency and duration of heatwaves (above 35°C) have increased significantly.

Changes in precipitation: The total amount of rainfall may not be decreasing drastically, but its nature is changing – we have long periods of drought followed by sudden, destructive downpours.

Agriculture: Traditional crops are beginning to suffer, and pests characteristic of more southern countries are becoming permanently established here.

Water resources: Faster evaporation and the lack of snowpack in the mountains are leading to the drying up of rivers and critically low reservoir levels.

However, faster warming does not mean the absence of extremely cold days or winters. Climate is a statistical variable, while “weather” is what we see today. But the overall trend line is unequivocally pointing upwards.

If you live by the sea, for example in Varna or somewhere along the Northern Black Sea coast, you will likely experience these extremes a bit differently than in the interior of the country. The reason for this is the sea, which acts as a huge climate buffer. But it is also undergoing fundamental changes.

Here is what the data for our region shows as of 2026:

The sea as an “immersion heater”

While the land heats up rapidly, the Black Sea absorbs a massive amount of energy. According to data from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) in Varna, the sea surface temperature is rising by about 0.6°C per decade.

The result: The seawater no longer cools down sufficiently during the winter. This leads to “tropical nights” in Varna, where even after sunset the temperatures remain above 25°C because the sea continues to radiate heat.

The disappearance of the classic Varna winter

Have you noticed how snow in Varna has become a rarity?

Southwestern flows: Increasingly frequent incursions of warm air from the Mediterranean and North Africa are making December and January unusually mild.

Statistics: The last few winters (including 2024-2025) are among the warmest in the city’s recorded history. Snow cover that lasts more than 2-3 days is now considered an event.

If in the period 1960–1990 the average winter temperatures in Varna were 1–2 degrees, today they are 4–5 (2020–2026). The number of days with temperatures over 30 degrees in the summer was 15–20 about half a century ago, while now they are twice as many—30–45. The sea water temperature in August rarely exceeded 25 degrees, whereas in recent years it regularly reaches 27–28.

The “Northern Black Sea Coast” (Dobruja) problem

North of Varna, towards Shabla and Kavarna, the problem is not just the heat, but the drought. The Northern Black Sea coast is one of the driest regions in Bulgaria. Rising temperatures accelerate evaporation. Agriculture in Dobruja is under immense stress, as the “traditional” May and June rains are becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Due to the warming of the sea, autumn in Varna is becoming longer and warmer (the so-called “Indian summer” extends into November), but in return, spring remains relatively cool because it takes time for the warmed-up sea to “wake up” after the winter.

What can each of us do to mitigate the climate effect?

Cities heat up more due to concrete and asphalt. In Varna, this is strongly pronounced in densely built-up areas.

Plant greenery on your terrace or roof! Even a few pots with plants on the balcony help lower the temperature of your home’s walls. And climbing plants are proven to be the most effective because they cover the largest surface area.

Use light colors! If you are renovating the facade or roof of the building you live in, choose light, reflective colors. They can lower the temperature inside the building by several degrees without the need for air conditioning.

Energy Efficiency (Smart Cooling)

In Varna, air conditioners run almost around the clock during the summer, which exhausts even more hot air outside.

External blinds and awnings: They are much more effective than internal ones because they block solar heat before it enters through the glass.

Inverter technologies: Using high-efficiency appliances reduces overall energy consumption, which in the long run lowers emissions from thermal power plants.

Reduce water consumption

Northeastern Bulgaria suffers from drought.

Save drinking water: Using water-saving showerheads and dual-flush toilets helps preserve the region’s water resources.

Use rainwater: If you live in a house in the villa zones around Varna, collecting rainwater for irrigation is critically important for the soil.

Use detergents and laundry products that do not pollute the water, such as laundry powder based on purified magnesium.

Transportation and Mobility

Automotive traffic is a major source of local pollution and heat.

Alternatives: Varna is a relatively compact city. Using a bicycle, an electric scooter, or the upgraded public transport (which is largely electric) reduces the direct heating of the urban environment.

Support for local production

Food from Dobrudzha: Buying seasonal products from local producers in the Varna and Dobrich regions reduces the so-called “food miles” (transportation by planes and trucks from the other side of the world).

What can we demand as citizens?

Individual efforts are great, but collective pressure has a greater impact. We can demand the following from the municipality:

More “blue” and “green” corridors: Fountains, parks, and street trees that naturally cool down Varna.

Protection of the Sea Garden: It is the “lungs” and the natural cooler of the city.

Smart water management: Repairing the old water distribution network to prevent the loss of valuable water throughout the plumbing system.

A small tip: Start with something simple – for example, installing an external light-colored blind or planting a climbing plant on your balcony. You will feel the result in your electricity bill and home comfort as early as this summer.