Türkiye paralyzed by snowstorm: Schools closed, travel disrupted beyond Istanbul

Türkiye is buried under a thick blanket of snow, bringing life to a grinding halt across dozens of cities. Schools have shut down, highways are barely passable, and commuters are stranded as an intense winter storm batters the country.

In Istanbul, public transport is in disarray, roads are turning into ice traps, and emergency crews are scrambling to keep key routes open.

Elsewhere, entire provinces have suspended classes, intercity travel is crippled, and authorities are issuing urgent warnings for residents to stay indoors.

Istanbul faces major shutdowns as snowstorm intensifies

The snowstorm has paralyzed daily life in Istanbul, forcing authorities to take wide-ranging measures to ensure public safety. The city has seen heavy snowfall, icy roads, and freezing temperatures, making commuting nearly impossible in several districts.

Governor Davut Gul announced a complete shutdown of all educational institutions on Feb. 21, 2025, and issued restrictions on transportation.

Full closure of schools and educational institutions in Istanbul

To prevent potential accidents and ensure student safety, all schools in Istanbul have been closed, including:

• All public and private institutions, from kindergarten to high school.
• Vocational training centers, driver’s courses, and rehabilitation centers.
• After-school tutoring programs and special education facilities.
• Public learning centers, including public education centers.

Governor Gul emphasized that universities will determine their schedules independently, meaning some institutions may continue classes online.

Additionally, employees in public institutions who are pregnant, disabled, or parents of children under 8 years old have been granted administrative leave.

However, this exemption does not apply to essential personnel working in health care, law enforcement, or snow removal teams, who are required to remain on duty.

Severe travel disruptions: Roads, public transport, and restrictions in Istanbul

The snowstorm has wreaked havoc on transportation across Istanbul, with authorities implementing strict restrictions to minimize accidents:

• Motorcycles, electric scooters, and courier services have been temporarily banned to prevent accidents caused by icy roads.
• Public transportation has been severely affected, with:
  • Bus and tram services operating at reduced capacity, resulting in significant delays and long wait times.
  • Metro lines facing periodic suspensions, particularly in areas with high snowfall accumulation.
  • Ferry services experiencing cancellations due to strong winds and ice buildup on docks.
• Over 10,000 road maintenance vehicles and nearly 36,000 personnel have been deployed to keep main highways operational. However, side streets and smaller roads remain treacherous.
• Tunnels and bridges, including the Bosphorus Bridges and Avrasya Tunnel, remain open but with restricted lanes, leading to congestion and delays.
• Taxis and ride-sharing services are experiencing high demand, with significant fare surges and limited availability due to hazardous road conditions.

Authorities strongly urge residents to avoid non-essential travel and use public transport only if absolutely necessary.

Emergency measures and city-wide preparations during snowstorm in Istanbul

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) and emergency teams have taken additional steps to mitigate the storm’s impact and protect vulnerable residents:

• Emergency shelters have been opened for over 1,100 homeless individuals, providing food, warm clothing, and medical assistance.
• Salt and de-icing chemicals are being spread across highways, bridges, and key intersections, with over 21,000 tons of salt and 500 tons of chemical solution already used.
• Residents have been warned against parking vehicles on narrow streets, as snowplows require access to clear roads.
• Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and municipal teams remain on high alert, ready to respond to emergencies, including power outages, fallen trees, and road blockages.
• Hospitals and emergency services are operating at full capacity, with additional ambulances stationed in high-risk areas to provide urgent medical care.

Authorities expect snowfall to continue until Feb. 24, with strong winds (50-70 kilometers per hour) and freezing temperatures worsening road conditions. Public safety warnings will be updated regularly to inform residents of any additional restrictions or closures.

Residents affected by snowstorm in Istanbul are advised to:

• Stock up on essential supplies, including food, water, and medicine, to avoid unnecessary trips outside.
• Check real-time transportation updates before attempting to travel.
• Keep mobile devices charged in case of power outages or communication disruptions.
• Avoid walking on icy sidewalks and use handrails when available to prevent falls.

Authorities remain focused on ensuring public safety and minimizing disruptions As Türkiye’s largest city grapples with extreme winter conditions. Residents should continue monitoring official announcements and follow precautionary measures to stay safe during the snowstorm.

School closures due to snowstorm extend across Türkiye

The heavy snowfall has shut down schools in more than 30 provinces, particularly in regions experiencing extreme weather conditions. Some of the most affected areas include:

Marmara region:

• Istanbul, Bursa, Yalova, and Balikesir have suspended all educational activities.

Black Sea region:

• Ordu, Samsun, Sinop, Giresun, Rize, and Artvin are dealing with increasing snow accumulation, leading to full school closures.

Central Anatolia:

• Ankara (district-based closures), Yozgat, Sivas, Kirikkale, and Konya have implemented widespread shutdowns.

Eastern Anatolia:

• Erzurum, Erzincan, Kars, Agri, Bitlis, and Van are facing road blockages and dangerously low temperatures, prompting school closures.

Southeastern Anatolia:

• Sirnak and Hakkari have suspended classes due to snow-related hazards.

Aegean and Mediterranean regions:

• In Afyonkarahisar and Canakkale, some districts have halted in-person learning as icy roads pose transportation risks.

Universities in affected regions will decide independently whether to continue classes based on local weather conditions.

Road closures, transportation challenges due to snowstorm across Türkiye

The snowstorm has caused significant transportation disruptions across the country, leading to road closures, delays, and safety warnings.

Authorities have taken preventive measures to manage the crisis, but many regions remain affected by extreme winter conditions.

• Istanbul: The governor’s office banned motorcycles, electric scooters, and courier services until further notice to reduce the risk of accidents on slippery roads. Public transportation is running at reduced capacity, with metro, bus, and tram services experiencing frequent delays and cancellations.
• Bolu Mountain Pass: The Ankara-Istanbul highway was heavily impacted by snowfall, with long traffic backups and temporary lane closures as snowplows attempted to clear the road.
• Samsun-Ordu highway: Authorities restricted heavy vehicle movement due to the risk of trucks skidding on icy surfaces.
• Eastern Anatolia and the Black Sea Region: High-altitude roads in Erzurum, Kars, Artvin, and Rize were either closed or severely affected by ice and snowdrifts. Avalanche warnings were issued in certain mountainous areas, prompting temporary road shutdowns for safety.
• Van and Hakkari: Remote village roads in the Van Basin and southeastern mountain ranges were buried under heavy snow, making some areas completely inaccessible. Rescue teams were deployed to assist stranded residents.
• Bursa and Balikesir: Authorities placed roadblocks on secondary roads due to frozen conditions, advising residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
• Intercity bus and train services: Delays and cancellations were reported in multiple cities, especially in northern and eastern Türkiye, where railway tracks and highways were covered in ice.

Despite continuous efforts by municipal and national road maintenance teams, heavy snowfall and strong winds continue to create hazardous travel conditions across Türkiye.

Government response: Emergency measures against snowstorm in place

Authorities have introduced several emergency policies to minimize risks and ensure public safety:

• Administrative leave for public employees: Pregnant women, disabled individuals, and parents of young children working in the public sector have been given the day off.
• Expanded disaster response teams: Rescue operations have intensified in mountainous and rural areas where snow accumulation is at its highest.
• Public safety warnings: Officials continue to urge residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as conditions remain dangerous.

Weather forecast: When will snowstorm in Türkiye end?

Meteorologists warn that the snowstorm’s impact will continue for several more days, with the following predictions:

• Snowfall is expected to persist through Feb. 24, particularly in northern and high-altitude areas.
• Winds reaching 50-70 kilometers per hour will create additional hazards in coastal cities and elevated regions.
• Temperatures will remain below freezing, increasing the risk of black ice formation on roads and further complicating travel conditions.

Residents are advised to stay alert, limit travel, and follow official warnings as Türkiye works through this intense winter storm.