Istanbul on Snow Alert: Governor’s Office Warns 15 Districts of Heavy Snowfall
Istanbul, February 26 – The Istanbul Governor’s Office has issued an urgent warning for snow and mixed rain across 15 districts, as a cold air mass from Siberia is expected to bring significant snowfall and strong winds to the mega-city. The Meteorological Directorate and the Governor’s Office have released consecutive alerts, with several provinces across Turkey already suspending education due to heavy snow.
Siberian Cold Front Reaches Istanbul
Istanbul, along with many other provinces, is currently under the influence of a rainy system brought by a cold air wave originating from Siberia. The Governor’s Office stated that air temperatures, which have been around seasonal norms, are expected to drop 2 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal starting from tonight.
Districts Under Alert and Expected Conditions
The official statement from the Governor’s Office detailed the affected areas and expected weather patterns:
- Affected Districts: Çatalca, Silivri, Arnavutköy, Başakşehir, Beylikdüzü, Büyükçekmece, Esenyurt, Eyüp, Sultangazi, Çekmeköy, Sancaktepe, Ümraniye, Sarıyer, Beykoz, and Şile.
- Precipitation Type: Rain, transitioning to mixed rain and light snowfall at higher altitudes in the mentioned districts from Wednesday evening until Thursday morning.
The snowfall is expected to intensify in these areas, particularly during the early morning hours.
Wind and Temperature Forecast
The Governor’s Office further announced that the precipitation affecting Istanbul is expected to cease after Thursday noon. Wind speeds are predicted to be moderate to strong, generally from the north:
- Today (Wednesday): Moderate to strong (30-50 km/h)
- Tomorrow (Thursday): Moderate to strong (40-60 km/h)
Regarding temperatures, the lowest expected air temperature tonight is 1 degree Celsius, while the highest expected temperature for tomorrow is 8 degrees Celsius.
Warnings and Precautions
Authorities have urged citizens to be vigilant and take necessary precautions against potential adverse effects of the storm and snowfall. These include:
- Disruptions in transportation
- Roof collapses
- Tree uprooting
Citizens are advised to follow official announcements and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety and minimize inconvenience.
The current weather conditions are part of a broader cold front affecting many parts of Turkey, leading to school closures and other disruptions in several provinces.
Source: https://www.yenisafak.com/foto-galeri/gundem/istanbulda-kar-alarmi-valilik-saat-verip-15-ilceyi-uyardi-4801014
