Plovdiv, in the fertile Thracian Plain of southern Bulgaria, receives around 550 mm (about 22 inches) of rain a year, with a summer peak from convective thunderstorms that can be intense given the region’s agricultural exposure to hail damage. The Maritsa river running through the city has occasionally seen elevated levels during sustained heavy rain, though the greater day-to-day risk comes from sudden, localized summer downpours rather than large-scale river flooding. Because the plain’s flat terrain means storm cells can be quite localized, radar helps residents and farmers judge whether a particular cell is actually heading their way. Bulgaria’s National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology operates the national radar network.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map