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