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Western Turkey enjoying spring as eastern side struck by icy cold
Eastern Turkey has been struck by a cold weather front moving into the country from Siberia this week, while the temperatures rose in the western areas of Turkey. The temperatures in İstanbul reached a sunny and comparatively warm 7 degrees Celsius yesterday while temperatures fell considerably in eastern Anatolian cities.
The temperature is expected to climb further in the West, while cold weather is expected to maintain its grip on eastern Turkey throughout the week, according to the State Meteorology Bureau.
The lowest temperatures yesterday were seen in Kars, with a temperature of -31 degrees Celsius. Temperatures yesterday dropped to -29 degrees Celsius in Erzurum and Ardahan, -21 degrees in Iğdır and -18 degrees in Erzincan.
Snow levels reached 6 centimeters in the city center of Erzurum, 4 centimeters in Erzincan, 2 centimeters in Iğdır and 18 centimeters in Ardahan. However, meteorologists said the eastern regions aren't expected to receive new snowfall until next week, adding that the temperatures in the region are at the normal seasonal level.
Meteorologists also warned drivers about the icy roads. More than 500 village roads were closed in eastern Anatolia. Meanwhile, in the eastern province of Muş, locals, who have been keeping indoors due to the cold weather, flocked to the skiing center located near Güzeltepe village as the sun shined yesterday.
In addition to the rising temperature in coastal parts of the Aegean region, there is no significant snowfall or rain expected in the region throughout this week. The wind will become stronger on the Aegean Sea as of today.
The temperature rose as high as 18 degrees Celsius in Muğla province yesterday. Domestic and foreign tourists enjoyed the warm day, walking by the beach or fishing.
Kastamonu, Amasya, Tokat, Ordu, Gümüşhane and the inlands of Giresun in the Black Sea region are expected to receive heavy snowfall for two days starting today. As for the Mediterranean region, the meteorology experts warned agricultural producers of a slight frost that may come with the sinking temperatures.
The rains began to let up in the Marmara region yesterday. Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius are forecasted in the region for the coming days.
Bird haven Sultansazlığı frozen
Lake Sultansazlığı, located in the central Anatolian city of Kayseri, was frozen yesterday, the Cihan news agency reports.
More than 300 bird species live around the lake, which consists of both fresh water and salt water. The temperature in the area decreases as low as -15 degrees Celsius during the day, while it falls as low as -30 degrees Celsius at night.
Meteorology experts emphasized that the current temperatures in the region are below the seasonal levels, thus resulting in frosts. They also said the cold weather will maintain its grip for a few more days.
Rains insufficient for İstanbul's dams
According to the İstanbul Public Waterworks Administration (İSKİ) figures, the water level at İstanbul's reservoir was 8.6 percent of its capacity as of Oct. 2007 and it reached 26 percent after the recent rains and snowfall in January. However, it was around 56 percent in the same month of last year.
Mevlüt Vural, the general manager of İSKİ, told the CNN Türk news channel that if İstanbul receives no rainfall in the upcoming spring, there will be water shortages in the summer. İSKİ is watching weather forecasts carefully as it works hard to put the second phase of the Melen project, which will supply additional water to the city, into effect soon. Considering the low water level at the dams, İSKİ officials warn the public to continue with water saving efforts.
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