11.02.2025 18:00
As cold and rainy weather from Siberia continues to affect the country, snowfall that began in the morning hours in Istanbul is intensifying. Due to heavy snowfall, schools have been closed in 9 districts. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu, who went to the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) to monitor the situation on-site, warned citizens to be cautious, especially after 6:00 PM.
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After the warnings from the General Directorate of Meteorology and AKOM, snowfall is affecting various points in Istanbul. While the roofs of houses and the ground in some areas of Istanbul are covered in white, there has been heavy traffic congestion.
IMAMOGLU WARNED FROM AKOM
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul, who went to AKOM to monitor the snow operations in the megacity, stated that the snowfall would continue to increase its impact after 18:00 and warned citizens to be cautious. In his statement, İmamoğlu said, "Especially from 18:00 this evening, there is a possibility of precipitation. The precipitation will continue to increase its impact until the early morning. Tomorrow afternoon, precipitation is expected in Şile, Kartal, Pendik, and Tuzla... It is anticipated that the precipitation will not remain as of Friday."
SIBERIAN COLD IS AT THE DOOR
According to meteorology experts, Istanbul is under the influence of a cold air wave originating from Siberia, and it is expected that the air temperatures will vary between 3 to 6 degrees after the snowfall. Additionally, a warning was issued that the risk of frost and icing may increase during the night hours. According to the Early Warning System for Icing (BEUS) data, it is estimated that air temperatures will be 3 to 6 degrees below the average for February.
METEOROLOGY ALSO POINTED TO 18:00
The General Directorate of Meteorology issued important warnings regarding the snowfall in Istanbul. In the warning for the northwest of Istanbul, it was stated that strong snowfall would be effective from 18:00 this evening until 18:00 tomorrow evening. In the statement, it was noted, "According to the latest assessments; starting from this evening, strong local snowfall (5-10 cm, up to 15 cm in higher areas) is expected in the northwest of Istanbul, the northeast of Tekirdağ, and the east of Kırklareli, so caution and preparedness should be exercised against disruptions in transportation, icing, and frost."
SCHOOLS CLOSED IN 9 DISTRICTS
Due to the snowfall affecting Istanbul, the Istanbul Governorship announced that schools in Başakşehir, Esenyurt, Beykoz, Avcılar, Arnavutköy, Sultangazi, Beylikdüzü, Büyükçekmece, and Küçükçekmece would be closed. In a statement regarding the matter, the Istanbul Governorship said, "The snowfall that is effective in the northern districts of Istanbul is not affecting the southern and central districts of the city. Therefore, there is no interruption in education across the city."
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