Scorching temperatures will continue to be the case over most of Bulgaria on July 19 and will remain the default setting for most of the week, although rain showers accompanied by thunderstorms are expected across the country, Bulgaria's meteorological service said.

The clouds will have cleared by the early hours on the morning of July 20, when the skies should be serene and hot once again – until later in the afternoon, when another spell of cloud cover and potential rain showers were expected.

Temperatures will range from 28C to as high as 36C in places, with Sofia being at about 28-30C. Some parts of south-west Bulgaria will reach 38C.

Along the coastline, conditions should be good for tourism although brief rain showers accompanied by thunderstorms were to be expected for a while in the afternoon. Gusts of wind were to be expected briefly from the north/north-east, while water temperature would be between 25 and 28C, the report said.

It is in the mountains that the weather conditions would be the most volatile and tourists, hikers and climbers were advised to be cautious. Heavy cloud cover, strong winds and thunderstorms were expected on July 19 along most western mountain ranges as well as Stara Planina.

Todorka summit in Pirin Mountain will be at about 8C with significant cloud cover, while Moussala in Rila Mountains would be at about 9C with occasional rain showers and thunderstorms. Cherni Vruh on Vitosha Mountain south of Sofia would be between 8Cand 12C, windy, and possible rain/thunderstorms.

On July 20, conditions along most Bulgarian mountains will be better and no precipitation was expected.