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First snowfall in İstanbul heralds start of winter
Bosporus closed to traffic
The Bosporus was closed to traffic for a short while due to low visibility yesterday. Senior officials from the Turkish Straits Vessel Traffic Service (TSVTS) noted that the snowfall, which became heavier in the afternoon, led to a decrease in visibility throughout the Bosporus, forcing a halt to marine traffic 1:30 p.m.
As soon as the snowfall lessened, the TSVTS reopened the Bosporus to traffic, starting at 2:15 p.m. Officials also said that the weather had not interfered with navigation. Turkey will face another cold front moving into the country through the Balkans. Yıldırım said the temperature will fall by 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, adding that the highest temperature was 4 degrees Celsius and the lowest -1 degree Celsius.
Yıldırım noted that the highest temperature will be 3 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday, respectively, while the lowest temperatures will be -2 degrees Celsius and -1 degrees Celsius on the same days. Yıldırım warned the public against frost and icy roads. He also underlined that İstanbul will experience a strong wind.
“Due to schools being open, traffic will become heavy because of frost and icy roads today; hence, drivers and the public should be alert,” he added.
The eastern Marmara, the Black Sea regions, the eastern parts of Central Anatolia and the eastern Mediterranean as well as eastern and southeastern Anatolia will see snowfall today. The northern and eastern parts of Turkey will be covered with frost.
As of Sunday the coastal parts of the Black Sea region will receive snowfall mixed with rain, whereas the rest of the country will see snowfall.
Meanwhile, due to icy roads and a lack of sufficient salting on roads, there was heavy traffic in some parts of the country yesterday. Around 90 accidents had occurred before 9:00 a.m. throughout the country; no injuries or deaths were reported.
Ankara Traffic Bureau officials have noted that the average number of accidents that occur in the capital averages 150 per day; however, this number rises to nearly 250 per day on days with snowfall.
Kızılırmak River frozen
The Cihan news agency has reported that Turkey’s longest river, the Kızılırmak, which runs through Sivas, was partly frozen due to cold weather.
The ice level rose by four centimeters, particularly on the riverbanks. Some parts of the Kızılırmak were covered with an icy blanket, whereas others were only partly covered.
The temperature has stood around -10 degrees Celsius for the last couple of days. Snowfall is expected in Sivas throughout the weekend, including today. The lowest temperature is expected to range from between -9 to -7 degrees Celsius in the city.
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