Rain, snow to threaten travel across Turkey into Saturday

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

March 17,2017, 11:26:14AM,EDT

 

 

A potent storm will continue to sweep across Turkey into Saturday with rain,
The storm will lead to travel disruptions, especially in the mountains and across eastern Turkey.
After bringing rain and thunderstorms to Istanbul on Friday morning, a storm will continue to press eastward into Saturday.
As the storm moves eastward, it will intensify, bringing the greatest impacts to the eastern half of Turkey.
Rain or a mixture of snow and rain will end as all snow in Kayseri and Erzincan.

"There can be a coating to 2-5 cm (1-2 inches) in these cities with more substantial amounts and travel problems in the surrounding higher terrain," Pydynowski said.
"Snowfall is more likely to be on the lower end on this range in Erzincan."
When the snow falls lightly during the day, it will struggle to accumulate on paved surfaces.
"Mostly snow is expected across the interior of eastern Turkey on Saturday. This includes in Erzurum and Kars, where snowfall will total around 15 cm (6 inches) or more," Pydynowski said.
There can be local amounts up to 60 cm (24 inches) in the highest elevations.
Related:
Turkey Weather Center
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Detailed Ankara weather forecast
Elsewhere, warmer air will prevail resulting in rain along the Black Sea coastline and across the lower elevations of southern Turkey.
Rainfall totals of 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) will be common along the southern slopes of the Eastern Taurus Mountains.
Unsettled weather has been lashing Turkey the past several days. Forty-nine people were injured after three hot air balloons were forced to make hard landings in central Turkey on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
The balloons were carrying primarily tourists when strong winds suddenly forced the need to conduct emergency landings.
Yet another storm system will bring additional rain and snow to Turkey on Sunday and Monday.
"This storm will be weaker and like it will affect mainly northern and eastern parts of the country," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tony Zartman said.