18.02.2025 22:50
Severe snowfall is expected in Istanbul for the next three days starting tomorrow, prompting an alert in the megacity. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül issued critical warnings to citizens regarding the snowfall but did not share any information about school closures. Meanwhile, many cities in Anatolia have suspended education.
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An alert has been issued for Istanbul. It has been stated that temperatures will drop starting tomorrow and heavy snowfall is expected in the megacity.
EXPECTATION OF "HOLIDAY" FOR SCHOOLS IN ISTANBUL
With the news of snow, students and parents have also started to expect a holiday. While it is unknown whether schools in Istanbul will be closed, a critical statement came from Governor Davut Gül. Governor Gül shared important points that citizens should pay attention to due to adverse weather conditions.
CRITICAL STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR GÜL
In his statement, Governor Gül said: "According to the evaluations of the General Directorate of Meteorology, adverse weather conditions are expected between February 19-21, 2025. It is important not to go out unless necessary, to use winter tires in vehicles, to take precautions against icing and freezing, and to prefer public transportation. Official announcements should be followed from the Istanbul Governorship, the General Directorate of Meteorology, and relevant institutions."
SEVERE SNOW WARNING FOR ISTANBUL
The Disaster Coordination Center (Akom) of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has issued an orange-coded meteorological warning for Istanbul and its surroundings. It has been stated that heavy snowfall is expected in the megacity, especially on Friday.
FLIGHTS AT SABİHA GÖKÇEN WILL BE CANCELLED
Following the snow alert, new arrangements have been made regarding flights at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. In a statement from the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Authority HEAŞ, it was stated, "Due to the adverse weather conditions expected at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, 10% of flights on February 20 and 15% of flights on February 21 will be cancelled, as per the decision of the Meteorological Emergency Committee. All passengers are advised to check the latest status of their flights through the websites and call centers of the relevant airlines."
THY STARTED TO CANCEL FLIGHTS
Turkish Airlines also made a statement regarding flight cancellations. The statement included the following: "Dear Passengers, due to the expected adverse weather conditions in Istanbul, some flights departing from and arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST) on February 19, 2025, have been cancelled. You can find up-to-date information about your flights on our flight status page by entering your flight number, departure, and arrival information; you can also learn about your refund or change rights on the same page."
CITIZENS ARE ADVISED TO BE CAUTIOUS
On the other hand, according to the report published by Akom, citizens of Istanbul have been advised to be cautious due to the severe weather conditions that will be effective from tomorrow afternoon. It has been announced that temperatures in Istanbul will drop rapidly due to cold air waves coming from Siberia, and snowfall will be effective along with the storm.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AKOM
Akom stated that public institutions and citizens should take necessary precautions and recommended the following measures:
Not to go out unless necessary, to keep winter tires and chains in vehicles, to protect water, natural gas, and electricity installations, and to provide warm shelters for those left on the street and food for animals.
While it is expected that the weather conditions will be effective in Istanbul for at least a week, it is advised to follow developments from the announcements of AKOM and the General Directorate of Meteorology.
According to AKOM's predictions, the snow thickness will vary by region:
5-15 cm in the south of E-5 (central districts),
10-30 cm between E-5 and TEM,
20-40 cm in the north of TEM and high areas,
40 cm and above in northern regions and high-altitude areas.
GÜMÜŞHANE
In a statement from the Gümüşhane Governorship, it was emphasized that heavy snowfall is expected throughout the city starting from the early hours of tomorrow, according to the forecasts of the General Directorate of Meteorology.
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In a statement announcing that all schools will be closed tomorrow due to potential risks in transportation, it was noted that pregnant and disabled personnel working in public institutions will also be considered on administrative leave for one day.
ORDU
In a statement from the Ordu Governorship, it was reported that precipitation continues in the high areas of the city, and there is a risk of frost and icing. It was emphasized that education will be suspended tomorrow in all districts of Aybastı, Çaybaşı, Gölköy, Gürgentepe, İkizce, Kabadüz, Kabataş, Korgan, Kumru, and Ulubey, as well as in some schools in Akkuş, Altınordu, Çamaş, Fatsa, Mesudiye, and Ünye.
AMASYA
It was reported that all schools in Amasya will suspend education tomorrow due to the effective snowfall. In a statement from the governorship, it was noted that due to the expected heavy snowfall and the resulting icing and blizzard, education will be suspended in all educational institutions across the city on February 19. The statement also mentioned that pregnant and disabled personnel working in public institutions, as well as mothers with disabled children and personnel with chronic illnesses, will be considered on administrative leave for one day.
ÇORUM
Due to the effective snowfall in Çorum, education will be suspended tomorrow in educational institutions in the city center.
In a written statement from the governorship, it was reported that the snowfall that started in the city is expected to continue until tomorrow morning. The statement mentioned that adverse conditions could arise due to snowfall and weather conditions, and included the following remarks: "Considering student mobility, education and training will be suspended for one day on February 19, Wednesday, in our central district and its affiliated villages, in public and private nurseries, kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, vocational training centers, adult education institutions, private teaching courses, special education and rehabilitation centers, and Quran courses by the decision of our governorship. On the day when schools are closed, women personnel whose children attend nursery and kindergarten, as well as public employees who are disabled, pregnant, and have chronic illnesses will also be considered on administrative leave."
SİNOP
In Sinop, due to snowfall, education will be suspended tomorrow in the city center and districts for transportation-based education. In a written statement from the governorship, it was noted that adverse weather conditions across the city continue to have an impact. It was stated that education and training will be suspended on February 19, Wednesday, in the city and districts as a preventive measure against potential adverse conditions, and that public employees who are disabled and pregnant working in transportation-based education will also be considered on administrative leave tomorrow.
KASTAMONU
In Kastamonu, due to effective snowfall, education will be suspended tomorrow in educational institutions in the city center. In a written statement from the governorship, it was reported that the snowfall that started in the city is expected to continue. The statement included, "Due to heavy snowfall and icing, education will be suspended for one day in our central district on February 19, Wednesday."