19.12.2025 13:27
Kandilli Observatory Meteorology Laboratory Meteorological Engineer Adil Tek stated that cold weather will be effective in Istanbul and the Marmara region towards the end of the month, saying, "According to our forecasts, we will see heavy snowfall in Marmara between December 28 and January 2. But it will be a 4-5 day period. After that, we will see temperatures rise again."
Kandilli Observatory Meteorology Laboratory Meteorological Engineer Adil Tek announced that snowfall is expected in Istanbul and the Marmara region before the New Year.
According to global forecasting models, Adil Tek stated that a cold air wave coming from the north starting from the 28th of the month will lower temperatures in Istanbul and the Marmara region, and that precipitation in the form of snow could be seen on December 29 and 30, with snowfall potentially continuing until January 1 and 2. Tek emphasized that this process will last approximately 4-5 days, and as the days approach, the forecasts will become clearer.
ONE OF THE TWO ATMOSPHERIC MODELS PREDICTS SNOWFALL BETWEEN DECEMBER 28 AND JANUARY 2 Kandilli Observatory Meteorology Laboratory Meteorological Engineer Adil Tek said, "The closest possibility of snowfall for Istanbul appears to be at the end of the month. Some atmospheric models predict this snowfall, while others do not. There is an atmospheric model called the Global Forecast System (GFS). In that model, starting from the 28th of the month, the cold air coming from the north will begin to affect Istanbul, Marmara, and a large part of the country. It will lower temperatures. Initially, precipitation will start as rain. By December 29 and 30, this precipitation will turn into snowfall. Snowfall will continue on the 30th and on the 1st and 2nd, and after the 2nd, this system will lose its effect. A rainy weather pattern lasting approximately 4-5 days is expected to affect Istanbul, Marmara, and especially the northern and eastern parts of the country. As we approach the end of the month, this is the situation seen in one of the atmospheric models we mentioned. The situation will become clearer as the days approach. This snowfall does not mean that winter will be very harsh. It seems that winter will continue as a dry period above the averages in terms of temperatures. In our forecasts between December 28 and January 2, we will see heavy snowfall. But it will be for a 4-5 day period. After that, we will see temperatures rise again," he said.
"RISING TEMPERATURES ARE IMPORTANT SIGNS OF CLIMATE CHANGE" Referring to the temperature values being above seasonal averages, Adil Tek stated, "These temperature values have been observed in previous years. There is high pressure over us. The high pressure is causing an increase in daytime temperatures. Night temperatures are dropping a bit more. The differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures are starting to increase. This high pressure is causing a warm air structure, which we call a 'heat dome,' to exist over us. These temperatures have been observed in previous years. It is also worth noting that the increased frequency of these occurrences during this period is one of the important signs of climate change," he expressed.
"RAIN IS EXPECTED ON SUNDAY" Stating that precipitation will start again, Tek said, "In the upcoming month, especially with the last week of the month, there will be rain. This is a rainy system coming from the Central Mediterranean. It does not lower temperatures significantly. Since it is air coming from the Central Mediterranean, it stays at these levels. Initially, there will be precipitation starting in the southern parts of the Aegean. It will be effective starting from Saturday night and on Sunday. After that, this system will affect the northern parts of the country. We will also see precipitation in Marmara. The system will shift a bit more to the east, leaving precipitation in Central Anatolia, the Mediterranean, and the Western and Central Black Sea regions. This rainy system will show its effects in the form of rain on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week. In the inner regions, especially in places with an altitude of over 2000 meters, precipitation will turn into snow," he explained.
"WE ARE HEADING TOWARDS DROUGHT" Pointing out that the reservoir filling rates in Istanbul have fallen below the last 10 years, Adil Tek stated, "We are heading towards drought. Currently, the reservoir levels, especially in Istanbul, have fallen significantly below the last 10 years. They have dropped to around 18%. In Ankara, it is at 1.7%, and in Izmir, it is also at very low levels in these three major cities. In other cities, the reservoir filling rates have also decreased due to drought. In December, precipitation is at 75%. However, it is approaching the averages of previous years. January also looks dry. We will see a lack of precipitation in January. Although precipitation in February is around seasonal averages, it does not show a significant increase. We are heading towards drought. There are significant risks ahead. Looking back from previous months and the summer, we are going through a major drought, and precipitation across the country has decreased by nearly 50%. The biggest problem ahead currently appears to be drought as the biggest natural disaster. A strategic plan is needed to increase societal awareness on this issue," he concluded.