Sofia has a humid continental climate with long winters and long summers. The average annual temperature is 10.3 �C (50.5 �F).
Winters are relatively cold and snowy. In the coldest days temperatures can drop as low as �15 �C (5 �F) or lower, most notably in January. Foggy conditions are not uncommon, especially in the beginning of the season. A typical winter in Sofia receives on average 40 snowy days with a total snowfall of around 90 cm (35.5 inches) and about 60 days with snow cover.
Summers are quite warm and sunny. In summer, Sofia generally remains a little bit cooler than other parts of Bulgaria, due to its higher altitude. However, the city is also subjected to frequent heat waves with high temperatures exceeding 30 �C (86 �F) for weeks and approaching towards 40 �C (104 �F) in the hottest days, particularly in July and August.
Springs and autumns in Sofia are very short. Generally they offer mild weather, but sometimes can experience either heat waves or snowfalls.
With around 85 rainy days annually, the city receives an average precipitation of 610 mm (24 inches) a year, reaching its peak in the beginning of the summer when thunder stormsare not uncommon
