Istanbul blanketed in snow as heavy storm continues for 3 more days

A powerful snowstorm that began Wednesday morning has covered most of Istanbul in a thick, white blanket, disrupting daily life across the metropolis.

The snowfall, expected to continue for three more days, could reach depths of up to 40 centimeters in some areas. Governor Davut Gul announced that schools in Istanbul would be closed today because of the severe weather conditions.

Arctic blast, Altay Snowstorm hit city

The cold air mass from Siberia, combined with the Altay Snowstorm, reached Istanbul early yesterday morning. Snowfall first began in the city’s higher elevations before intensifying across both the European and Asian sides.

On the European side, districts such as Sultangazi, Eyupsultan, and Kucukcekmece saw intermittent snowfall, while heavier accumulations were recorded in Arnavutkoy and Basaksehir.

As the storm progressed, areas including Bagcilar, Esenler, Kagithane, Sariyer, Beyoglu and Besiktas also experienced significant snowfall.

Meanwhile, on the Asian side, snow began falling in Pendik, Tuzla and Umraniye by midday, transforming streets and parks into winter wonderlands.

Flight cancellations, traffic chaos

The heavy snowfall has caused major disruptions to transportation. Roads quickly became coated in ice and snow, forcing drivers to slow down significantly. On the Kemerburgaz Airport route, traffic came to a near standstill, while congestion built up at the Fenertepe toll booths on the way to Istanbul Airport.

Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport announced flight cancellations for today and tomorrow because of the extreme weather. Snow removal teams from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) and Istanbul Airport Operator IGA worked around the clock to keep runways and surrounding roads clear.

Despite the cancellations, the Meteorological Emergency Committee (MADKOM) stated that air traffic remained operational for unaffected flights.

Snowfall to intensify over weekend

Weather forecasts indicate snowfall will strengthen throughout the day and persist heavily over the weekend. Istanbul Municipality’s Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) predicts varying snow depths across the city:

• 5-15 cm in central districts south of the E-5 highway
• 10-30 cm between the E-5 and TEM highways
• 20-40 cm in northern and high-altitude areas
• Over 40 cm in extreme northern regions and mountainous areas

With temperatures expected to drop below freezing, authorities warn of black ice, power outages, falling trees, collapsing roofs, and carbon monoxide poisoning from poorly ventilated stoves. Citizens are urged to take precautions and limit unnecessary travel as the storm continues to impact the city.