The expected cold snap and snowfalls in Bulgaria have created difficult driving conditions throughout Bulgaria, with temperatures ranging from -12C to 0C in the country.

Several mountain passes in the Stara Planina range have been closed for traffic due to snowfalls and traffic restrictions on heavy vehicles are in effect on all roads. All major roads in the country are open for traffic, however, traffic authorities said.

The biggest snowfalls are in central and eastern Bulgaria, including big cities like Plovdiv, Vidin and Burgas.

In Plovdiv, in particular, traffic has been slow as cleaning crews are working around the clock on the major streets, but many secondary streets remain impassable, authorities said.

In capital Sofia, the snowfall has been moderate, but cleaning crews are still out in force to ensure there are no big delays in the movement of urban transport on Saturday, which is a working day in the country today, the city hall said.

The snowfall is likely to delay the official start of the winter skiing season in the Pamporovo resort in central Bulgaria, which was due to open on Saturday.

The slopes are not ready for skiing and work is complicated by the continuing snowfall, but are expected to be in skiing condition by the end of the weekend, the mountain rescue service said.

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