Bulgaria Grapples with Widespread Disruption as Severe Snowstorms Hit

Severe Winter Conditions Grip Bulgaria

Bulgaria is experiencing widespread disruption following severe winter conditions that brought heavy snowfall and strong winds across the country on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The adverse weather has led to significant challenges, including major road closures, extensive power outages, and school cancellations in numerous municipalities.

Infrastructure and Travel Severely Impacted

Transportation networks have been particularly hard hit. The Trakia highway was fully suspended between Burgas and Zimnitsa due to snowstorms and severely reduced visibility. Passenger cars were redirected, while heavy goods vehicles faced restrictions on alternative routes. Similar bans for trucks over 12 tonnes were implemented on sections of the Rishki Pass, the I-6 road between Burgas and Yambol, and in the Dobrich region on all republican roads, including the Varna-Dobrich road. In northeastern Bulgaria, the first-class Ruse-Razgrad-Shumen road was closed to heavy vehicles, with snowdrifts further complicating travel. Additionally, the Burgas-Dolno Ezerovo road was closed to cars due to flooding caused by 65 litres per square metre of rainfall. In the Smolyan municipality, key routes like the Rozhen and Prevala passes, and sections of the Devin-Mikhalkovo (III-866) and Batak-Dospat (II-37) roads, saw restrictions for heavy goods vehicles. A Bulgarian bus carrying 25 passengers became stuck near Vardim in the Veliko Tarnovo region, though all passengers were reported safe.

Power Outages and School Closures Widespread

The severe weather has caused significant power disruptions across several regions. In the Smolyan municipality, a partial state of emergency was declared, with five villages, including Lyaskovo, Breze, Zagrazhden, Petkovo, and Kiselchovo, losing electricity due to fallen trees and damaged power grids. Snow accumulations in some areas of Smolyan exceeded 25 cm, isolating villages such as Mugla, Gela, and Solishta. In Sliven, eleven settlements were left without power following wind gusts reaching up to 100 km/h, which also caused fallen trees and damaged infrastructure. Over 30 villages and several city neighborhoods in Gabrovo municipality also experienced power cuts.

Educational institutions have also been affected. February 18 was declared a non-school day in the Razgrad region, while distance learning was introduced in Silistra, Glavinitsa, and Dulovo. Schools in Tutrakan were also closed for the day. In Kramolin, 13 children were unable to attend school due to unsafe road conditions.

Emergency Response and Public Advisories

Authorities have mobilized resources to address the crisis. An orange weather warning was in force for 15 regions, with wind gusts expected to reach up to 100 km/h. Nationwide, 45 snow-clearing machines were deployed, with approximately 150 machines operating within the capital, Sofia. The Road Infrastructure Agency and police have strongly advised motorists to travel only if absolutely necessary, ensure their vehicles are equipped for winter conditions, and adhere strictly to instructions and detour routes as the situation remains dynamic.