Snow alert in Istanbul! Heavy snowfall expected starting from 18:00!

Cold and rainy weather originating from Siberia continues to affect the entire country. While heavy snowfall has been ongoing in Istanbul since the morning, schools in nine districts have been closed. With the impact of the snowfall, expectations regarding whether schools will be closed generally in Istanbul and regarding the Istanbul Governor's Office have increased. The General Directorate of Meteorology announced that heavy snowfall is expected in the northwest of Istanbul starting from 18:00 this evening.

According to the current weather forecast report published by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM), heavy snowfall will be effective in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Air temperatures are expected to be between 1 and 6°C.

Snowfall will continue intermittently in the northern and western districts of the city.

Authorities issued warnings that disruptions in transportation and a decrease in visibility may occur during the snowfall.

COLD WILL TAKE ISTANBUL UNDER ITS INFLUENCE

According to meteorology experts, Istanbul is coming under the influence of a cold air wave originating from Siberia.

Following the snowfall, air temperatures are expected to drop by 3 to 6°C, and the risk of frost and icing is expected to increase during the night hours.

According to data from the Ice Early Warning System (BEUS), air temperatures are projected to remain 3 to 6°C below the February average.

WATCH OUT FOR 18:00 THIS EVENING!

The General Directorate of Meteorology has issued a new warning regarding the snowfall in Istanbul.

According to the warning issued for the northwest of Istanbul, locally heavy snowfall is expected from 18:00 this evening until 18:00 tomorrow evening.

The statement said, "According to the latest evaluations; locally heavy (5-10 cm, 15 cm in higher areas) snowfall is predicted starting from this evening in the northwest of Istanbul, the northeast of Tekirdağ, and the east of Kırklareli. Since this situation may lead to disruptions in transportation, icing, and frost events, it is important to be cautious and careful."

AKOM warned citizens to be careful, especially against icing and potential disruptions in transportation.

Authorities emphasized that the use of private vehicles should be avoided and public transportation should be preferred.

IMM teams continued their work in areas where snowfall was effective from time to time. Measures against salting and icing were taken throughout the night with 11,916 personnel and 3,375 vehicles in the districts of Arnavutköy, Başakşehir, Sultangazi, and Eyüpsultan on the European Side, and in the districts of Beykoz, Şile, and Çekmeköy on the Anatolian Side.

Snow clearing work was also carried out in places where the snow was effective. According to the statement made by the IMM, teams carried out intensive snow clearing and salting work on main roads, squares, metro entrances, bus stops, and overpasses. It was reported that 3,590 tons of salt and 13 tons of solution were used in the last 24 hours.

The IMM continues to provide shelter and basic needs support to homeless citizens against cold weather conditions. As of now, a total of 626 people, including 530 men and 96 women, are being hosted. Throughout the winter period, various aid has been provided to 2,000 homeless citizens.

In addition, IMM Veterinary Services teams are helping stray animals that have difficulty finding food by distributing 2 tons of food at 520 points per week for street animals.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION EXPECTED

Following the snowfall taking Istanbul under its influence, traffic congestion is expected to increase across the city. Due to the snowfall that was effective in the morning hours, traffic congestion rose to 71 percent according to IMM data.