Snowstorm hits Istanbul, snarling travel

A fierce cold front slammed Istanbul overnight on January 18, turning rain-slicked streets into a shimmering snowscape after weeks of mild weather.

The heavy snowfall hit the city’s higher elevations with full force, burying districts like Beylikdüzü, Başakşehir and Arnavutköy under a pristine blanket of white.

From the soaring ridges of Çamlıca Hill to the dense canopies of Aydos Forest, the winter surge reimagined the city’s skyline, offering a picturesque winter scene that has captivated the onlookers.

While the snowfall in central areas like Şişli remained intermittent, the dropping temperatures made the "freezing” reality of the season felt in every corner of the city.

Authorities in Istanbul issued a formal warning for the region, noting that the snow is expected to persist through January 19.

They also sounded the alarm for a severe storm brewing over the Marmara and Black Sea regions, with winds expected to reach speeds of up to 75km per hour.

Meteorologists predict the intense cold wave will cripple the city through January 22.