Freezing Shock in Varna: Tourists Flee the Unusually Cold Sea for the Second Time This Week

Cold Shock on Varna's Beaches: A Chronicle of Events

A perfect beach day on Friday, July 18, when the air warmed to a comfortable 27°C, was hopelessly ruined. Upon entering the water, people were met with icy cold, making swimming impossible. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that this was the second cold snap in a week—earlier, the sea temperature had dropped to a critical 11°C.

Those visiting Varna for the day from neighboring towns were particularly hard hit. "We spent money on travel and ended up just sitting on the sand," they complain. As a result, the beaches of Bulgaria's seaside capital were deserted, giving way only to seagulls.

Upwelling: A global phenomenon, not just a Bulgarian anomaly

The reason for the sharp cooling of the water is upwelling. This natural process is triggered by a strong wind blowing from the land. It pushes the warm upper layer of water away from the shore, and cold water rises from the depths to take its place.

While this may be a nuisance for tourists, on a global scale, upwelling is a key process on which entire ecosystems depend:

• Peru, Chile, South Africa: It is thanks to upwelling that the coasts of these countries are the richest fishing areas planets.
• California, USA: Famous thick fogs of San Francisco - a direct consequence of the rise of cold waters off the coast.

Thus, the anomaly in Varna is a local manifestation of a powerful global mechanism.

«"The sea cleans itself": what do the locals say?

Unlike disappointed tourists, local veterans and fishermen take a philosophical view of the phenomenon. "The sea cleans itself. We littered it, so what's so surprising?" they comment. According to them, upwelling is a natural "spring cleaning" that makes the water cleaner and renews marine life.

What to do if you experience upwelling in Bulgaria?

If during your holiday sea water temperature has fallen sharply, don't despair.

1. This is temporary: The phenomenon lasts from 2-3 days to a week.
2. Explore the surrounding area: Use this time for excursions, for example, to Old Nessebar or Balchik. (Here you can add an internal link to your articles about these cities).
3. Enjoy cleanliness: After upwelling, the water becomes crystal clear, which is ideal for photo sessions.