The Bulgarian capital Sofia awoke Thursday morning to its first, though light, snowfall, but luckily the mercury did not fall below zero.

The traffic in Sofia has been impeded over the last few days over heavy rainfalls and drivers have been advised to be extra careful because roads will remain slippery.

A slim snow cover has been reported in western and northern Bulgaria and the mountains. Tvarditsa-Elena and Etropole-Zlatitsa passes have been closed due to poor weather conditions.

Thursday will bring scattered rain showers throughout Bulgaria. The lowest temperatures - between 0 and 5 C - will be recorded in Northeastern Bulgaria and in the plains at higher altitudes.

Temperatures are expected to start rising as early as Friday with highs set at between 7 and 10C.

The weather forecasters have warned that Bulgarians should brace themselves for a colder-than-usual winter, with temperatures rarely above the freezing point between December and February.

It remains to be seen whether this year, just like any other, authorities in Bulgaria will be "surprised" by the weather and be unprepared when it comes to having the snow removal machinery ready.

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