Istanbul was blanketed in snow this Wednesday, marking the return of a long-awaited winter spectacle after several mild seasons.
The city transformed into a winter wonderland as snowflakes began to fall early in the day, covering streets and landmarks in a white layer.
Authorities quickly responded by closing schools on Thursday due to warnings about icy roads and hazardous travel conditions.
The snowfall brought a mix of joy and disruption. While many residents embraced the rare sight, taking to the streets to enjoy the winter beauty, traffic congestion surged to unprecedented levels.
Commuters faced lengthy delays as snow accumulation blocked roads and delayed buses.
At the city’s airports, Turkish Airlines canceled nearly 200 flights, while ferry services across the Istanbul Strait were suspended due to poor visibility.
Temperatures are expected to stay low throughout the week, with snow continuing intermittently until Monday.
Coastal areas could see 5 to 10 cm of snow, while northern and high-altitude regions may experience even deeper accumulations.
Despite the disruptions, many Istanbulites found joy in the snow, celebrating the rare winter wonderland in their midst.
