The National Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) declared code orange for dangerous weather for northeastern Bulgaria for the afternoon.

Code orange means intense weather situations with potential damage, injuries and casualties.

The other parts of the country are under code yellow, which also means potentially dangerous weather.

Dark clouds quickly arrived in Bulgaria's capital Sofia Thursday morning bringing thunder, lightning and downpours. Traffic was reported at standstill on many major roads. There are also fallen trees and branches. The mercury rapidly slipped down to 19 degrees Celsius and the temperatures are expected to reach 26 degrees in the afternoon.

There will be strong wind, rain and thunder in many locations in western and central Bulgaria before noon while it will be sunny in eastern Bulgaria.

The rain is expected to stop in western Bulgaria in the afternoon with fewer clouds, but the storms will travel to central and eastern Bulgaria. Hail is also possible.

There will be rain, wind, and thunder in the mountains as well.

BAS warn people to use extreme caution, obey the authorities, and follow closely weather forecasts in order to avoid risks.