20.02.2025 23:00
Due to the heavy snowfall affecting the entire country, schools have been closed tomorrow in 26 provinces, including Istanbul. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu stated in his announcement that the impact of the snowfall is expected to increase starting from tomorrow morning, and he advised citizens to use public transportation instead of their private vehicles.
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The snowfall and freezing cold have taken the country by storm. While life has come to a standstill in many cities, schools have also been closed. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated in his announcement that schools across the city will also be closed tomorrow.
SCHOOLS CLOSED IN ISTANBUL Governor Davut Gül said the following at a press conference held at the Istanbul Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) Center: "According to the latest data we have received over the past two days, the mixed rain and snow that continues today has been effective on the Asian side. It is predicted that the snowfall expected on Sunday will be effective on the European side. To prevent our students from suffering, all public and private schools, including courses at public education centers, will suspend face-to-face education activities for one day. Female personnel working in public institutions who are veterans, pregnant, or have children under the age of 8 will be considered on administrative leave."
BE AWARE OF TOMORROW MORNING IN ISTANBUL On the other hand, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu stated that heavy snowfall expected to start early tomorrow morning is anticipated to continue into Saturday, saying, "Especially due to the heavy snowfall expected to increase significantly early tomorrow morning, we kindly ask our citizens not to use their private vehicles unless absolutely necessary. If they must go out, they should ensure their vehicles are equipped for snow and winter conditions. We recommend using public transportation."
CITIES WHERE SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED In addition to Istanbul, schools have also been closed in many cities for tomorrow. The cities where the snow holiday will continue are as follows: "Sinop, Samsun, Malatya, Ağrı, Giresun, Iğdır, Ordu, Muş, Bursa, Yalova, Artvin, Elazığ, Bingöl, Bitlis, Bolu, Kars, Ardahan, Rize, Düzce."
In Hakkari, due to adverse weather conditions, education will be suspended tomorrow in schools under the transportation education program in the central, Şemdinli, Yüksekova, and Çukurca districts. In Şırnak, education will be suspended tomorrow in all educational institutions in the city center and the Uludere and Beytüşşebap districts due to snow. In Yozgat, education will be suspended tomorrow in the city center and the Çayıralan and Akdağmadeni districts. In Erzincan, education will be suspended tomorrow in the Çayırlı and Tercan districts due to adverse weather conditions. In Bartın, transportation education will be suspended tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions. In Kastamonu, due to snow, transportation education will be suspended in the central district, and face-to-face education will be suspended for one day in all levels in the Ağlı, Bozkurt, and İnebolu districts. MOTORCYCLES ARE PROHIBITED FROM TRAFFIC AT NIGHT IN ISTANBUL Additionally, there is news for motorcycle couriers. In Istanbul, motorcycles and couriers are prohibited from entering traffic starting at 00:00.
MEASURES TAKEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu explained the measures taken against the effective snowfall across the country in a statement made in Ankara. The statements of Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu are as follows: "In Sakarya, we will carry out our efforts with 54 trucks, 12 graders, and 146 vehicles. We are closely monitoring our work with 25 fixed cameras and 1 meteorological station. We are striving to do our part. We are conducting our operations in coordination with the governorships in 3 of our provinces."
It is very important for our drivers to use winter tires. We recommend postponing travel if it is not essential for tomorrow and the day after. We are doing our best. We kindly ask our citizens to pay attention to our announcements. We have also taken necessary precautions on the railways.
In air travel, we have 2 major airports in Istanbul. Work is ongoing with 800 personnel. Efforts are being made to clear the runways and ensure the landing and takeoff of planes. Some flights have been postponed for Friday and Saturday. Snow in winter is certainly our need. As a ministry, we have taken the necessary precautions. Hopefully, we will not cause any inconvenience to our citizens by carrying out this struggle.
3-DAY WARNING FROM AKOM TO ISTANBUL AKOM has issued a warning for heavy snowfall in the megacity until Sunday.
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In the statement, it was mentioned that "Due to the cold and rainy system expected to be effective in our region throughout the week, temperatures are expected to range between -2 and 3°C. It is predicted that today there will be mixed rain and light snowfall, and from Friday onwards, the precipitation will continue to be strong, with heavy snowfall in some areas." The statement also included a forecast for heavy snowfall until Sunday.
PROF. DR. ORHAN ŞEN: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF SNOW REACHING HALF A METER CNN TÜRK Meteorology Advisor Prof. Dr. Orhan Şen emphasized that snowfall will be effective in Istanbul for another 3 days and stated that this night is critical.
Prof. Dr. Orhan Şen's weather assessment is as follows; "The snow height is around 3 centimeters in Kartal and Aydos. It will snow for another 3 days. We expect it to be strong tonight and until noon tomorrow. With the drop in temperature, it will be in the form of a blizzard. There is a possibility that the snow we measure tonight and tomorrow morning could reach half a meter. This night is critical. Today and tomorrow; in fact, if our citizens have no work, they should not go outside. Since it will drop below zero tonight, there will be icing. There will also be snow. If they have to go out, let’s use public transportation. This Sunday, it could drop to -4, -5 degrees."