In February, the Sultan's Trail from Sofia to Istanbul experiences winter weather conditions, ranging from snow to rain. In Sofia, temperatures can drop as low as -20°C with occasional light freezing rain. Moving toward Istanbul, the weather becomes milder with highs reaching 18°C and a mix of sunny and cloudy days. Precipitation varies widely across the regions; some areas experience light snow, while others see heavy rain showers. This diverse weather pattern impacts each stage of the trek, with temperatures tending to be lower in the initial stages and gradually warming as you approach Istanbul.
The weather in Sofia during February is harsh, with temperatures plummeting to lows of -20°C and highs barely reaching 14°C. The area sees a mix of sunny days and overcast skies, with moderate or heavy snow showers quite common, accumulating up to 14.4 mm of precipitation in a day on the severest occasions. Such conditions bring frequent occurrences of patchy rain and moderate snow throughout the month.
In the Rila region, the February weather remains predominantly cold. Moderate to heavy rain showers feature prominently, particularly around the Rila Monastery, where temperatures range from -9°C to 16°C. While sunny spells do punctuate the otherwise cloudy climate, heavy rain at times results in precipitation levels peaking at 14.8 mm on some days.
Pazardzhik presents milder yet fluctuating weather, with Yakoruda witnessing temperatures dropping to -21°C at their lowest, yet sometimes warming to peaks of 19°C. Despite the prevalence of partly cloudy skies, periods of patchy snow and light freezing rain contribute significantly to a precipitation variability, especially as snow showers can be intense.
February weather in Smolyan is characterized by cold temperatures dropping to -17°C during the night, with some days warming to a pleasant 17°C. Moderate snowfall is frequent, especially in areas like Smolyan, where daily precipitation can reach 21.1 mm. This region experiences alternating patterns of overcast and partly cloudy conditions.
In Kardzhali, temperatures can rise to 19°C, offering more temperate climates compared to other regions. The weather oscillates between cloudy days and sporadic patchy rain, with occasional rain showers contributing to higher precipitation levels of up to 19.1 mm daily during peak rainfall phases.
Moving into Haskovo, February weather transitions into moderate patterns with Ivaylovgrad experiencing ranges from -5°C to 18°C. Diverse conditions see frequent alternations between overcast and sunny days, while heavy rain showers deliver significant wetness, noted especially with up to 14.0 mm of rainfall in a day.
In the East Macedonia and Thrace region, the weather remains fairly moderate. Fylákio sees a mix of partly cloudy and sunny days with highs reaching 20°C and lows above freezing. While patches of rain occur frequently, heavy rain at times can result in precipitation spikes, though often staying below 12 mm daily.
Weather conditions in Edirne through February showcase cloudy skies with frequent rainy spells. Daytime temperatures often hover between 10°C and 18°C, while heavy rain showers occur sporadically, with some days experiencing up to 16.3 mm of rain. The evenings tend to remain dry with a mix of clear and overcast skies.
Arriving in Istanbul, February witnesses a relatively mild winter climate, where temperatures range from 5°C to 18°C. The weather fluctuates between clouds and sunshine, punctuated by moderate rain at times, with precipitation intensity ranging up to 11.2 mm on wetter days. Despite occasional heavy downpours, periods of sunshine ensure a balanced climate to end the trail.
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