Severe weather alert: Heavy snow and rain expected in Türkiye

Yellow and orange-coded warnings have been placed for 49 provinces, urging heightened awareness and precaution.

According to the forecast, much of the country will experience partly to very cloudy skies with intermittent rainfall. Regions such as the eastern Marmara, the eastern parts of Central Anatolia, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea, most of Eastern Anatolia (excluding Van), and Southeastern Anatolia are likely to see precipitation. This rainfall is expected to manifest as sleet and snow in some areas, with certain regions facing particularly strong downpours.

Snowfall is anticipated in provinces including Bursa, Kocaeli, and Kayseri, while heavy rains are forecasted for cities such as Istanbul, Hatay, Mersin, Samsun, Trabzon, Erzurum, Diyarbakır, Antep, Mardin, and Urfa. The eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea coasts, western parts of Eastern Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia are expected to bear the brunt of the strongest precipitation, affecting some provinces, including Sakarya, Bolu, Niğde, Kayseri, Sivas, and Karaman.

In addition to the precipitation, temperatures are set to drop significantly, falling 5 to 15 degrees below seasonal norms in the Central and South Aegean, the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, the Central and Eastern Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia, and the western parts of Southeastern Anatolia.

Strong winds are also forecasted, with northern gusts affecting Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, and Central Anatolia, while Southeastern Anatolia will experience winds blowing from the south. High-altitude areas in the Mediterranean may face storm conditions.

Moreover, the Meteorology Directorate has issued warnings about icing and frost in interior and northern parts of the country as temperatures plummet further.

Citizens are urged to stay informed, take precautions, and prepare for these challenging weather conditions, particularly in areas expecting heavy snowfall, downpours, or stormy winds. (ILKHA)