Turkish authorities warn Iceland-origin cold wave will grip Istanbul for 6-8 days

An Iceland-origin cold air mass is set to affect Istanbul and large parts of northern and central Türkiye starting Friday, according to the city’s disaster coordination authorities.

Officials warn that the cold spell will last nearly a week and may bring icy conditions and light snow to higher districts of the city.

In a statement, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) said Istanbul will remain under the influence of the cold wave for six to eight days. Cloudy conditions are expected to give way to colder weather and strong winds, with temperatures dropping sharply overnight.

AKOM forecasts show temperatures falling to around 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) across much of the city, with some areas seeing readings close to 0 degrees. In inland and elevated parts of the region, temperatures may reach freezing levels.

Which Istanbul districts may see snow and ice?

Authorities say most of Istanbul will receive rain during this period.

However, higher and northern districts face a different outlook, with the risk of sleet, light snow, and icy roads.

According to AKOM, areas where mixed precipitation or light snow is possible include:

• European side: Northern districts such as Arnavutkoy, Eyupsultan and Sariyer
• Anatolian side: Higher districts including Beykoz, Cekmekoy, Sile, Kartal, Sancaktepe, Sultanbeyli, Pendik and Tuzla

Strong winds are also expected at times, with gusts reaching between 30 and 60 kilometers per hour.

Officials warn that these conditions increase the risk of frost and black ice, especially during the night and early morning hours.

Turkish authorities urge precautions as cold spell sets in

AKOM called on public institutions and residents to remain cautious and prepared throughout the cold period.

The center advised local authorities to assign on-duty staff outside working hours and to respond quickly to warnings issued through AKOM and the city’s early icing alert systems.

The ISKI water authority also issued a separate warning, focusing on household infrastructure.

In a public message, ISKI said cold weather can cause water pipes and meters to freeze and urged residents to insulate exposed installations with appropriate materials to prevent damage and service disruptions.

The cold wave is expected to influence daily life across Istanbul for much of the coming week, with officials emphasizing caution on roads, protection of infrastructure, and close monitoring of official alerts as conditions evolve.

December 26, 2025 03:56 PM GMT+03:00