The snowfall is going to gradually subside Friday from west to east with fewer clouds, according to the weather forecast of the Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

In the Eastern Rhodoppe Mountains and Eastern Bulgaria there will be still strong winds and conditions for drifts and wind-blown snow accumulations.

The minimum temperatures will be between five degrees Celsius below zero to 0, while on the Black Sea Coast they will reach 2-3 degrees. The maximum values will range between minus 3 to plus 2, in Sofia - minus 2.

Light snow is expected on the Black Sea Coast with precipitations ending in the evening. Maximum temperatures there will be between 1 and 4 degrees.

Saturday will be very cold, especially in the morning, when the Mercury will fall to anywhere between minus 10-13 to minus 5 and the maximum will be between minus 2 and plus 2. Light snow is expected for western Bulgaria Sunday when temperatures will begin to rise.

With the cold weather over the weekend, Bulgaria will certainly have a White Christmas, forecasters say.

The heavy snowfall Thursday created many traffic problems and blocked roads. Scores of automobiles overturned or got stuck on Trakiya highway while the brand new Lyulin highway, near the capital Sofia, was closed in both directions for a long period of time over snow drifts blocking drivers in tunnels.

Huge traffic jams were reported in Sofia – the City Hall says that 121 snow removal vehicles have been cleaning non-stop, but the priorities are the main boulevards and thoroughfares used by public transportation, which was delayed only by about 10 minutes average.

According to the City Hall, cars parked on sidewalks and piled on smaller streets create huge problems for the snow removal effort.

Traffic problems are expected Friday with the snow cover remaining and many people traveling for the Holidays. About 100 traffic policemen will be on duty to help alleviate traffic congestions. There will be additional police teams across the country at locations known for congestion conditions, the Interior Ministry informs Friday.

Roads across the country are reported as wet and slippery at spots, but open for traffic, except the high mountain passes.

Code yellow for potential dangerous weather-related situations is in effect for eastern Bulgaria over strong winds and snow drifts.