Long-awaited snow blankets Istanbul, Turkey's largest city

Starting Saturday, Istanbul finally experienced the long-awaited snow after an unusual dry spell.
A person sleds at Çamlıca Hill Park after a snowstorm during the weekend coronavirus lockdown in Istanbul, Turkey, on Jan. 17, 2021.

The snowfall is expected to last until Wednesday when the temperatures are to increase to in the 10s Celsius again.

People build a snowman in the Çamlıca Park, Jan 16., 2021.

Istanbul's Metropolitan Municipality's (IBB) Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) issued a warning to the citizens of the city before the heavy snowfall hit the city on the weekend.

A view of Çamlıca Park as people take a stroll.

People walk in front of the Blue Mosque after a light snowstorm during the weekend coronavirus lockdown in Istanbul, on Jan. 17, 2021.

A woman gets her picture taken in front of a snow-covered tree in Çamlıca Park during the snowstorm, Jan. 17, 2021.

A woman walks through Çamlıca Park that is covered in snow, Jan. 17, 2021.

A man slides down a slope in Çamlıca Park, Jan. 17, 2021.

A view over the Anatolian side of Istanbul from Çamlıca Park, Jan 17, 2021.

A view of Belgrad Forest covered in snow, Jan. 17, 2021.

A seagull flies over the Eminönü district during a light snowstorm in Istanbul, Jan. 17, 2021.

A view of the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Jan 18, 2021.

A child hugs a snowman with Istanbul's famous Maiden Tower in the background, Jan 18, 2021.

A view of the Bosporus and the bridge as the snowstorm halts for a moment, Jan. 17, 2021.

Children slide down a slope in Çamlıca Park on plastic bags enjoying the first snowfall of the megacity.

People walk through the snowstorm in the Ortaköy district in Istanbul, Jan. 17, 2021.

A street dog sits in the snow in Istanbul's Kartal district.

The street animals of Istanbul were not forgotten during the harsh weather conditions. The Maltepe district sent out a team of 250 people to provide food for the dogs and cats of the city.

The wild animals in Belgrad Forest, Polonezköy, Şile and Aydos got treated to some food as well, provided by the municipality.

As much as the snow is enjoyed by the children and adults alike, the traffic of the metropolis adversely affected early on Jan. 18, 2021.