Disruptive winter storm to target Turkey into this weekend

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

February 4,2016; 9:39PM,EST

 

 

A winter storm slowly tracking across Turkey into this weekend will threaten to disrupt travel and daily routines.
While not the most potent winter storm to target the country this winter, the storm from Friday to Sunday will deliver enough snow and windswept rain to create problems for residents and travelers.
The storm will initially unleash rain and gusty winds to Istanbul and Izmir Friday into Friday night, before causing rain to change to snow in Ankara with all snow targeting Erzurum this weekend.
"This will be a soaking rain for Istanbul," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson said. Rainfall amounts in far northwestern Turkey, including Istanbul, will range from 25 to 40 mm (1 to 1.50 inches) from Friday to Friday night with up to 25 mm (an inch) along the southwestern coast.

It will also be a wind-driven rain as winds frequently gust between 70 and 90 km/h (45 and 55 mph) in Istanbul and along the western coast of Turkey. Even stronger winds will whip the open waters of the Aegean Sea.
Dangerously rough seas are expected in the Aegean and southwestern Black seas. The winds also threaten to cause power outages and some tree damage and will make holding onto an umbrella extremely difficult. Airline passengers should prepare for delays, while motorists will face reduced visibility and wet roads.
Unlike the winter storm that ushered in the new year, the air will not be cold enough for snow to fall in Istanbul.
A change from rain to snow will occur in Ankara and Konya early in the weekend. Substantial snowfall is not expected, but there will be enough snow to create slick spots on roads and sidewalks. That is especially true as temperatures fall Saturday afternoon and night, causing any wet or slushy areas to freeze and turn icy.
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The winter storm will bring mostly snow to the mountains and northeastern Turkey, away from places along the Black Sea, this weekend.
Snowfall amounts will generally be on the order of 8-15 cm (3-6 inches) in Erzurum, Kars and Agri. Roads will become snow-covered and treacherous. Residents can anticipate the cancellation of some weekend activities.
Less snow is likely to whiten Van, where rain may mix in initially, while totals can exceed 15 cm (6 inches) in the mountains.
The departure of the storm will allow the new week to start dry across Turkey before another storm attempts to follow in the footsteps of this storm during the second half of the week.