Snowfall in Istanbul: Schools closed, flights canceled, roads icy, warnings issued

Residents of Istanbul eagerly awaited the season’s first snowfall, which finally arrived last week. The joy of waking up to a white landscape has quickly turned into frustration as heavy snow disrupts daily life.

Schools have closed, traffic has come to a standstill, and authorities have issued multiple warnings. The snowfall in Istanbul, which began on Feb. 10, has intensified over the past 48 hours, with more expected throughout the day and into the evening.

Schools closed and official warnings issued due to snowfall in Istanbul

Governor Davut Gul announced that all educational institutions in the city would be closed on Feb. 12 due to severe weather conditions and heavy snowfall in Istanbul. Employees in public institutions who are pregnant, disabled, or have chronic illnesses have also been granted administrative leave.

The General Directorate of Meteorology issued a yellow code warning for Istanbul, Kirklareli, and Tekirdag, warning of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and icy conditions.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) warned that snowfall would persist throughout the evening, with a significant risk of ice accumulation on roads and sidewalks.

Meteorologist Dr. Guven Ozdemir commented on the snowfall in Istanbul. “The cold weather will continue for at least two more days,” he said, cautioning residents about further transportation issues.

Traffic chaos, public transportation struggles in Istanbul

Istanbul’s roads have been severely impacted by the snowfall, leading to major traffic congestion.

Vehicles have struggled to move, with many skidding on icy roads. Several accidents have occurred, including in Basaksehir and Esenyurt, where cars have failed to climb steep roads, causing long delays.

Public transportation has also suffered due to the heavy snowfall in Istanbul. An IETT bus was stuck in Basaksehir, blocking traffic for hours before citizens stepped in to clear the road.

Minibusses in Arnavutkoy and Eyupsultan had trouble navigating the snow, forcing passengers to help push the vehicles. Ferry services operated by Sehir Hatlari were suspended due to dense fog and high winds, disrupting the commute for thousands of passengers.

Snowfall in Istanbul causes air, sea travel disruptions

Severe weather has also caused major disruptions to air travel. Sabiha Gokcen Airport canceled 10% of its flights on Feb. 12 due to safety concerns.

Many passengers have been stranded, with airlines advising travelers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. Pegasus, Turkish Airlines (THY), and AJet canceled multiple flights on Feb. 11 and 12 due to worsening conditions. Routes between Istanbul and Antalya, Izmir, Erzurum, Trabzon, and Ankara have been among the affected.

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport Authority (HEAS) stated that the Meteorological Emergency Committee (MADKOM) ordered these cancellations as a precaution against worsening snowfall in Istanbul and icy conditions. Passengers should check with their airlines for the latest flight information before traveling to the airport.

Canceled flights on Feb. 12, 2025, due to heavy snowfall in Istanbul

Airline	Flight No.	Departure	Destination	Departure Time
Pegasus	PC 2531	Elazig	Sabiha Gokcen	11:15 a.m.
AJet	VF 3229	Gaziantep	Sabiha Gokcen	11:15 a.m.
Pegasus	PC 2551	Erzurum	Sabiha Gokcen	12:40 p.m.
AJet	VF 3281	Ordu-Giresun	Sabiha Gokcen	12 a.m.
Pegasus	PC 2073	Alanya Gazipasa	Sabiha Gokcen	1:25 p.m.
Pegasus	PC 2753	Sivas	Sabiha Gokcen	9:10 p.m.
AJet	VF 3195	Denizli	Sabiha Gokcen	9:20 p.m.
AJet	VF 3295	Rize-Artvin	Sabiha Gokcen	1:50 p.m.
Pegasus	PC 2669	Ankara	Sabiha Gokcen	2:20 p.m.
AJet	VF 3327	Trabzon	Sabiha Gokcen	2:20 p.m.
Pegasus	PC 2257	Milas-Bodrum	Sabiha Gokcen	10:20 p.m.
Pegasus	PC 2293	Dalaman	Sabiha Gokcen	10:50 p.m.
AJet	VF 3149	Cukurova	Sabiha Gokcen	11:50 p.m.
Pegasus	PC 2573	Malatya	Sabiha Gokcen	10:55 p.m.
Pegasus	PC 2097	Cukurova	Sabiha Gokcen	12:05 a.m.
Pegasus	PC 2025	Antalya	Sabiha Gokcen	12:05 a.m.
AJet	VF 3071	Izmir	Sabiha Gokcen	12:55 a.m.
AJet	VF 3095	Milas-Bodrum	Sabiha Gokcen	12:20 a.m.
Pegasus	PC 2741	Kayseri	Sabiha Gokcen	11:25 p.m.
AJet	VF 3037	Antalya	Sabiha Gokcen	8 p.m.
AJet	VF 3039	Antalya	Sabiha Gokcen	10:30 p.m.
AJet	VF 3145	Cukurova	Sabiha Gokcen	10:30 p.m.
AJet	VF 3189	Diyarbakir	Sabiha Gokcen	11:05 p.m.
AJet	VF 3243	Hatay	Sabiha Gokcen	11:05 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Bosphorus has been temporarily closed to ship traffic due to low visibility caused by heavy fog following the heavy snowfall in Istanbul.

Ferry services between various districts, including Beykoz and Eminonu, remain suspended. Authorities have stated that services will resume once conditions improve.

How to stay safe during heavy snowfall in Istanbul

Authorities urge residents and visitors to take precautions while the severe weather continues:

• Avoid using personal vehicles and opt for public transport if necessary
• Check flight and ferry status before heading to the airport or docks
• Wear winter boots and move cautiously on icy sidewalks
• Stay indoors unless travel is absolutely necessary
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, food, and water
• Report road hazards and stranded vehicles to the authorities
• Stock up on essential supplies in case the snowfall intensifies

Weather experts predict that snowfall will ease by Feb. 13, but icy roads and sidewalks will remain a concern. Residents should remain cautious as freezing conditions persist across Istanbul.