Travel may grind to halt in Istanbul as snow, arctic air target Turkey through this weekend

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

January 6,2017, 9:57:49AM,EST

 

 

Disruptive snow and plunging temperatures will sweep across western and central Turkey, including Istanbul, through this weekend.
Arctic air plunged unusually far south across eastern Europe this week and will continue its rare journey into Turkey through the weekend.
The arctic blast will bring a significant drop in temperatures, causing rain to change to snow in all of the lower elevations of western and central Turkey. The exception will be along the immediate southern coast.
Following highs around 11 C (52 F) in Istanbul and Bursa on Friday, cold air will sink in for the weekend with highs near or below zero (32 F).

Howling winds will hold AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures to minus 15 C (5 F) in Istanbul during this time.
While the cold alone will have residents bundling up and wishing to stay indoors, snow totaling 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) threatens to bring major disruptions to travel and daily routines in and around each city.
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Istanbul could even be brought to a standstill into Saturday as wind gusts of 64-72 km/h (40-45 mph) create dangerous blizzard conditions with visibility near zero and significant blowing and drifting snow.
The wind-swept snow could halt ferry services and ground flights. Residents should prepare for weekend activities to be postponed or canceled.
“A similar scenario [with rain changing to snow and causing icy roads] could unfold in Ankara on Saturday evening, though snowfall will not be as heavy compared to Istanbul,” according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Douty.
Even in Izmir and Denizli, any lingering wet or slushy areas will become icy later on Saturday as temperatures plunge below freezing.

There could still be standing water in these cities from the heavy rain set to start the weekend. The rain should end as a coating to 2 cm (an inch) of snow.
Across central Turkey, snow will arrive on Saturday with a second round to follow quickly on Sunday.
A total of 8-15 cm (3-6 inches) will create slippery travel and disruptions from Konya to Sivas as totals top 60 cm (2 feet) in localized areas of the Taurus Mountains. Travel through the mountain passes will become extremely difficult, if not impossible.
As the storm track sets up over central Turkey early next week, additional rounds of snow could further add to this weekend’s totals and create additional travel nightmares.