Heavy snowfall warning issued for northwest Turkey, flights cancelled

Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) issued a heavy snowfall warning for Turkey's northwestern parts, which is expected to be effective as of Sunday evening and throughout Monday.

Heavy snowfall will affect Istanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Yalova, Bilecik, Bursa, Balıkesir, Çanakkale, Ankara, Eskişehir, Çankırı, Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar, Zonguldak, Bartın, Düzce, Bolu, Karabük and Kastamonu provinces.

These areas have been receiving a significant amount of rainfall in the last couple of days, and decreasing temperatures is expected to lead to snowfall. Snow thickness expected to reach over 20 centimeters in some areas. Officials also warned against icing on the roads and major highways. Temperatures are expected to dip well below zero.

TSMS also warned authorities and citizens against expected heavy rainfall and flooding in southern parts of the country.

Turkish Airlines (THY) announced cancellations for 246 domestic and international flights from and to Istanbul's Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen airports on Monday. Passengers are advised to obtain info through THY call center or the company website.

Pegasus Airlines so far cancelled 52 flights and Onur Air cancelled eight flights scheduled for Monday, whereas AtlasGlobal Airlines cancelled 18 flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Eastern Turkey is already in the full grip of winter, with temperatures reaching minus 22 degrees Celsius in the northeastern province of Ağrı, and much of the region under thick snow. Local agencies are working around the clock to open roads to dozens of villages, which have been inaccessible for days due to snow.