19.01.2026 16:40
In the morning hours in Istanbul, the effective snowfall paralyzed traffic, while Meteorology Expert Adil Tek stated that the snow would be short-lived and that there was no expectation of snow again until the end of the month; the Governorship warned against the risk of icing and freezing.
After the heavy snowfall that affected Turkey, Istanbul was covered in white. The snowfall, which showed its effects in many districts in the morning hours, caused congestion in the city's traffic.
TRAFFIC INCREASED TO 81% After the snowfall that was effective in Çatalca, Sarıyer, and Arnavutköy on the European side; and in Sultanbeyli, Sancaktepe, Çekmeköy, and Üsküdar on the Asian side, disruptions occurred in traffic. The traffic density in Istanbul rose to 81%.
STATEMENT ON SNOW FROM METEOROLOGY EXPERT ADIL TEK Meteorology expert Adil Tek stated that the snowfall in Istanbul is short-lived. Tek noted that tomorrow the precipitation will predominantly affect the Eastern Black Sea and the eastern part of Eastern Anatolia. He expressed that a milder weather is expected on Wednesday, while on Thursday a new system coming from the Central Mediterranean will first affect the Aegean, and then Marmara and Istanbul.
NO EXPECTATION OF SNOW UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH Emphasizing that there is no expectation of snow in Istanbul until the end of the month according to current data, Tek stated that seasonal forecasts indicate a low probability of snow in February as well.
Meteorology's 5-day weather forecast... WARNING OF ICING AND FROST FROM THE GOVERNORATE The Istanbul Governorate has banned heavy vehicles and couriers from entering traffic from 10:00 AM due to the snowfall until further notice. The governorate warned that rain and mixed rain with snow will continue, advising caution against icing and frost events.
"HIGHEST TEMPERATURE 7 DEGREES" In the governorate's statement, it was expressed that on Tuesday, January 20, the weather will be partly very cloudy, with intermittent rain in the morning hours, and mixed rain with snow in higher elevations. While the lowest temperature is expected to be 3 degrees, the highest temperature is expected to be 7 degrees, and it was noted that air temperatures are expected to rise from Wednesday onwards. It was stated that the wind, expected to blow from the north, could occasionally reach speeds of 30-60 km/h, and citizens were asked to be careful and take precautions.