Harsh winter conditions in eastern and northeastern Turkey have turned everyday life into a test for local residents. Temperatures have plummeted to extreme levels, and local authorities have stepped up their emergency response efforts.
According to the Turkish State Meteorological Service, the lowest temperature in the country was recorded overnight in the Karacoban district of Erzurum, in eastern Turkey, at minus 30.3 degrees Celsius. The bitter cold spread across the region, with the village of Bezirhane in Van's Çaldiran district registering minus 28 degrees Celsius and the Bulanık district of Muş registering minus 26.3 degrees.
In Erzurum, two days of snowfall were followed by a hard freeze, turning streets into sheets of ice. Nighttime temperatures in the city center dropped to minus 12 degrees, freezing vehicle windows, blocking public fountains and forming long icicles on roofs. Roads and sidewalks became dangerous, prompting municipal teams to step up salting and safety operations.
Further north, the cold weather continued to disrupt daily life in Kars, northeastern Turkey, where temperatures dropped to minus 19.7 degrees. Rivers and lakes froze, and frost covered trees and vegetation. Residents tried to protect their vehicles from the cold using carpets and blankets. In Sarıkamış district, homes, vehicles and workplaces froze, while municipal and highway crews worked to keep roads open through continuous snow removal and salting.
Similar conditions were seen in Ardahan, northeastern Turkey, where snowfall and icy roads led to localized traffic disruptions. In Tunceli, eastern Turkey, overnight temperatures dropped to minus 6 degrees Celsius, causing partial freezing in small lakes and icy road surfaces, prompting local authorities to take precautions.
Meteorologists had warned of the worsening conditions days earlier. In a statement released on Friday, the Turkish State Meteorological Service said Turkey would be under the influence of a cold and rainy weather system moving in from the west, with temperatures expected to drop sharply across the country.
The forecast noted that precipitation would gradually turn into rain mixed with snow and sleet, especially in the northern, central and eastern regions, while the cold spell is expected to continue into next week, increasing the risks of icing, frost, transport disruptions and agricultural damage.