Türkiye braces for severe weather: Yellow-coded warning issued for 48 provinces

A sharp drop in temperatures across Türkiye has brought heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.

The Meteorology General Directorate (MGM) issued a yellow-coded warning for 48 provinces on March 19. Authorities have warned residents to be cautious about icy roads, avalanche risks, and transportation disruptions.

Türkiye faces sudden temperature drop with heavy rain, snow, strong winds

After experiencing spring-like temperatures last week, Türkiye is now facing an intense cold front. Temperatures have dropped sharply, with snowfall recorded in some regions.

In Istanbul, snowfall was observed overnight in higher areas, including Silivri, Catalca, Sultangazi, Basaksehir, and Hadimkoy, while rain continued across the city.

Meteorologists predict that even coastal regions of Marmara, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean may experience sleet. In the eastern Black Sea and eastern Anatolia, the avalanche risk has reached its highest level.

Weather forecast for Türkiye: Heavy precipitation expected across multiple regions

According to the latest MGM forecasts, most of the country will experience precipitation.

The southern and eastern parts of Marmara, the inland Aegean, the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, the Black Sea, and eastern and southeastern Anatolia are expected to receive heavy rain and snow. Major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Bursa, are experiencing significantly lower temperatures.

Strong winds are also expected. In Marmara, the Aegean, and the central Black Sea, as well as in the southern and western parts of Central Anatolia, wind speeds are forecasted to reach 40-70 kilometers/hour from the north. In the Mediterranean, some areas may experience hurricane-force winds.

The Meteorology General Directorate has warned residents in these 48 provinces about potential floods, landslides, lightning strikes, and transportation disruptions.

In addition, icy roads and frost are expected in the central and eastern regions during the morning and evening hours. Farmers have been advised to take precautions against frost damage.

List of 48 provinces under Türkiye’s yellow-coded severe weather warning

The MGM’s yellow-coded warning covers the following provinces:

• Marmara and Aegean regions: Edirne, Kirklareli, Tekirdag, Istanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Bursa, Bilecik, Balikesir, Canakkale, Yalova, Manisa, Izmir, Usak.
• Central Anatolia and Black Sea regions: Afyonkarahisar, Kutahya, Eskisehir, Ankara, Aksaray, Konya, Karaman, Nevsehir, Nigde, Kayseri, Kirikkale, Kirsehir, Cankiri, Bolu, Zonguldak, Bartin, Karabuk, Corum, Yozgat, Tokat, Amasya, Sivas.
• Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions: Malatya, Adiyaman, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras, Osmaniye, Adana, Mersin, Antalya, Isparta, Burdur, Denizli and Mugla.

Authorities have urged residents in these areas to remain vigilant against heavy rainfall, storms, and snowfall.

Latest temperature readings in major Turkish cities

• Istanbul: 7 degrees Celsius
• Ankara: 4 degrees Celsius
• Izmir: 15 degrees Celsius
• Bursa: 8 degrees Celsius
• Antalya: 17 degrees Celsius
• Adana: 18 degrees Celsius
• Gaziantep: 16 degrees Celsius
• Diyarbakir: 15 degrees Celsius
• Trabzon: 8 degrees Celsius
• Erzurum: 7 degrees Celsius
• Samsun: 7 degrees Celsius
• Kayseri: 3 degrees Celsius
• Eskisehir: 5 degrees Celsius
• Konya: 5 degrees Celsius
• Malatya: 15 degrees Celsius
• Van: 8 degrees Celsius

Experts predict that harsh weather conditions will start easing by Thursday. By Friday, temperatures are expected to return to seasonal norms, and sunshine will reappear over the weekend.