17.01.2026 10:11
As temperatures in Istanbul drop rapidly over the weekend, heavy rainfall is expected to strengthen tomorrow, with showers turning into snowfall from the evening hours. While temperatures are forecasted to drop to 2 degrees, the MGM, the Governorship, and AKOM have warned of strong winds, frost, and freezing risks. Meanwhile, the Meteorology has issued a "yellow" coded warning for "snowfall" for 13 provinces.
The weekend weather temperature in Istanbul is preparing for a sharp drop. The General Directorate of Meteorology and the Istanbul Governorship announced that the temperature will drop to as low as 2 degrees, and the perceived temperature on Sunday could fall to negative values.
BE CAREFUL TOMORROW
Today (January 17), mixed rain is affecting the city, while Meteorology predicts that precipitation may turn to snow, especially in higher areas. Starting from tomorrow morning (January 18, Sunday), it is expected that the precipitation will gain strength, and after the evening hours, locally heavy snow showers may be observed. Snowfall has already begun in some districts of Istanbul.
SNOW WARNING FROM AKOM
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) warned citizens about the risk of icing and freezing due to cold weather and snowfall. AKOM reported that intermittent and local precipitation on Saturday will turn into mixed rain starting from Sunday morning, and snow will fall in higher areas. According to AKOM, after Sunday evening, as temperatures drop to 2 degrees and below, the precipitation may turn into intermittent local heavy snow showers.
In a statement from AKOM, it was said, "The day started with air temperatures around 3 degrees and a slightly rainy sky. It is expected that the wind will blow from the northern directions at times strongly (20-50 km/h), and a very cloudy sky will dominate during the afternoon hours. The temperatures are predicted to be around 7 degrees."
SNOW COVER EXPECTED IN HIGHER AREAS
Authorities stated that a short-term snow cover could form in the northern districts of the city and in higher areas. According to forecasts, the lowest temperature in Istanbul is expected to be 2 degrees, and the highest temperature is expected to be around 5 degrees.
GOVERNORSHIP: WIND WILL BE STRONG AT TIMES
The Istanbul Governorship announced that mixed rain and snowfall are expected in higher areas today. The governorship emphasized that the wind will blow from the northern directions at times strongly (40-60 kilometers/hour) and called for caution and preparedness against possible adverse conditions.
“YELLOW” CODE SNOW WARNING FOR 13 PROVINCES
The General Directorate of Meteorology issued a "yellow" code snow warning for Artvin, Giresun, Gümüşhane, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Nevşehir, Sinop, Rize, Sivas, Trabzon, Yozgat, Aksaray, and Bartın.
HOW WILL THE WEATHER BE TODAY?
According to the forecasts made by the General Directorate of Meteorology: The general weather of our country is expected to be partly and very cloudy, with rain and mixed rain in the northeastern Marmara, northern Balıkesir, eastern Kırklareli, and the surroundings of Osmaniye and Hatay, while the Western and Eastern Black Sea, the southern and eastern parts of Central Anatolia, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, and the surroundings of Kahramanmaraş, Ordu, and Tokat are expected to have mixed rain and snowfall. The precipitation is expected to be locally strong along the Eastern Black Sea coasts and in the areas of Sivas, Yozgat, Kayseri, Nevşehir, Aksaray, Sinop, Bartın, and Gümüşhane, as well as along the coasts of Artvin and Kastamonu. The wind is expected to blow strongly (40-60 km/h) from the northern directions in Marmara and Northern Aegean. Icing and freezing, along with fog and mist, are expected in the inner and eastern regions during the morning and night hours. There is an avalanche risk in the high snow-covered slopes of the inner parts of the Eastern Black Sea and in the eastern parts of Eastern Anatolia.
AIR TEMPERATURE: It is expected that the air temperature will decrease by 4 to 6 degrees in the inner and western regions, while no significant change is expected in other places.
WIND: The wind is expected to blow lightly from the northern directions, occasionally at a moderate strength, and strongly (40-60 km/h) in Marmara and Northern Aegean.
STRONG PRECIPITATION WARNING
Since the precipitation is expected to be locally strong along the Eastern Black Sea coasts, Sivas, Yozgat, Kayseri, Nevşehir, Aksaray, Sinop, Bartın, Gümüşhane, and along the coasts of Artvin and Kastamonu, caution and preparedness are required against possible adverse conditions (transportation disruptions, icing and freezing, blizzards in higher areas, and avalanche risks in sloped regions with heavy snow cover).
STRONG WIND WARNING
Since the wind is expected to blow strongly (40-60 km/h) from the northern directions in Marmara and Northern Aegean, caution and preparedness are required against possible adverse conditions.
ICING AND FREEZING WARNING
Since icing and freezing, along with fog and local mist, are expected in the inner and eastern parts of our country, caution and preparedness are required against possible adverse conditions.
AVALANCHE RISK
There is an avalanche risk in the high snow-covered slopes of the inner parts of the Eastern Black Sea and in the eastern parts of Eastern Anatolia.