New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Weather Discussion => International => Topic started by: Mark on December 27, 2023, 06:13:05 PM
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A messy mix of snow and rain wreaked havoc in parts of the country, as roads were closed to traffic in the province in the eastern and southeastern Anatolian region due to heavy snowfall and blizzards causing low visibility.
Transportation was severely disrupted in the provinces of Tunceli, Hakkari, Kars and Sivas, with some vehicles stranded on the roads.
In the southeastern province of Hakkari, roads to 34 villages are inaccessible.
While the intermittent snowfall in the district increased its effect at night, the snow thickness reaching 30 centimeters in the center prompted the municipal teams to take action in Hakkari. The teams who worked hard to open the roads said they were ready 24/7 in case of a negative situation.
https://www.sott.net/article/487232-Heavy-snowfall-cripples-life-in-Turkey
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Turkey is experiencing its heaviest snowfall of the century—likely a lot longer—as Europe's mass of polar cold descends south. The worst hit areas are in the SE province of Hakkari where the snow depth is topping 5 m (16.4 ft) in some parts.
In the Şemdinli district of Hakkari, the snow walls are shown to be towering over clearing vehicles (see featured image).
Crews have been working non-stop to access cut-off towns and villages across the district, to deliver essential supplies.
Teams are upping their efforts, keen to widen the passages, reports aa.com.tr.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/the-snow-is-5-meters-high-in-turkey
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Parts of Turkey have been hit by rare May snow, including the western province of Kocaeli as well as the Black Sea Region.
The week commenced with plunging temperatures, and by Tuesday, heavy, blowing snow was clipping the higher elevations.
In the mountains of Bolu province—for example—the snowfall was substantial.
The plateaus of Trabzon city were also turned white:
كابتن_غازي_عبداللطيف on X
On the outskirts of the northeastern city of Ardahan even, blizzard conditions brought traffic to a standstill on May 14:
“Heavy snow storm in Ardahan of Turkey (14.05.2024)” — RUSMIZAREZARR on X
The town of Tosya, Kastamonu province also received a late-season blast:
“14 Mayıs 2024 Tosya Kastamonu Türkiye” — Hermes on X
The snow continued through Wednesday morning, in Kastamonu province among others, conditions that prompted the country's General Department of Meteorology to issue a “yellow” level of weather danger in some six provinces.
As with Russia to the north —which has just endured its coldest first 10-days of May in 145-years of record keeping— Turkey is enduring a historically cold and snowy start to the month, chills that aren't forecast to subside until at least the weekend.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/heavy-mid-may-snow-hits-turkey-slovakias
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Various regions of Turkey have been returned to winter this week, as anomalous lows and heavy snow sweep the nation.
In northern Turkey, the Demirkapı Plateau, renowned for its lush flora at this time of year, was transformed into a sea of white.
Heavy snow has also hit the Yedigöller (seven lakes) region, encompassing Dipsiz Lake, İkiz Lake, Kara Lake, Sarıçiçek Lake, Pirömer Lake, Aygır Lake and Balıklı Lake. Roads became impassable here, prompting large-scale snow-clearing operations.
““Heavy snow storm in Ardahan of Turkey” — RUSMIZAREZARR on X
Substantial accumulations extended to eastern and central regions and all, to Erzurum, Ardahan, Amasya, Kars, Muş, Karabük, Çankırı, Kastamonu, Bolu, Düzce, Sakarya and Van.
On the eastern mountain of Ağrı, nine Russian climbers were forced to abandon their accent due to biting cold and blizzard conditions.
Renewed excitement has hit Turkey's ski areas. In Erzurum, for example, home to Palandöken resort, the surprise return of winter has re-awoken the slopes, as it has across the Kars’ Sarıkamış district, as well as Bolu’s Kartalkaya.
This part of the world can expect another cold day Friday, before a gradual return to climatic norms as the cold shifts east.
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Heavy downpours with large hail throughout Turkey.
Floods occurred in cities such as Balıkesir, Bursa, Adana, Istanbul, Edirne and Çorum.
https://www.sott.net/article/491691-Hail-and-flooding-in-different-parts-of-Turkiye
https://youtu.be/BvFNMTgAzaY
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Turkey continues to experience an early taste of winter, with many regions receiving their first snowfalls of the season.
In the northern province of Kastamonu, snow depths have exceeded 50 cm (20 inches), prompting extensive road-clearing efforts.
Heavy snow has also caused disruptions in the Black Sea provinces of Trabzon and Giresun, where shepherds were rescued from a snow-covered plateau and emergency teams assisted numerous drivers stranded in their cars.
The Ayder Plateau in Rize was another region to be hit hard, as was much of the eastern province of Kars, specifically the Digor district which experienced its first snowfall back on October 21, unusually early.
Turkey's ski resorts are enjoying an early start to the season and all, with the likes of Bolu’s Kartalkaya, Erciyes, and Yıldız all reporting rare October accumulations.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/early-snows-continue-in-turkey-middle
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An unseasonal bout of heavy snow has swept central Anatolia and eastern Turkey.
More than 900 travelers were stranded overnight Friday on highways connecting Kayseri to Malatya, Gürün, and Göksun—routes that are typically clear by spring. Emergency crews worked through the storm to reach those trapped and bring them to safety.
In Sivas province, relentless blizzards forced the closure of the Sivas-Gürün highway. Despite the closure, rescue teams responded to four traffic separate accidents here. One missing person was also successfully located amid the snow.
The Geminbeli Pass, a key route linking Anatolia to the Black Sea region, was another stretch hit hard. Drivers found themselves immobilized as the spring snow piled up. Plows were deployed but progress proved slow due to whiteout conditions.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/heavy-snow-batters-turkey-albanian
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Turkey is facing a deepening agricultural crisis after record cold temperatures, as low as -15C (5F) swept the country — the coldest spring temps in over 30 years. The freeze is devastating crops, and has triggered urgent government action to action.
For more than a month now, a sustained bought of cold and delivered widespread frost and snowfall.
Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli compared the crop losses to the catastrophic 2014 frosts, saying, “Turkey is once again facing a massive agricultural blow from freezing weather conditions.”
Fruit orchards, vineyards, and key field crops have all suffered. Apricots, walnuts, potatoes, and onions are among the worst affected. In response, some farmers, for instance, are using sprinklers to coat apple trees in ice—a method to insulate buds.
The eastern region of Malatya, known for apricots, is on high alert. In 2014, frost destroyed up to 80% of its apricot harvest. With similar damage feared this year, the impact could ripple through both domestic markets and export channels. In an early intervention, the Turkish Ministry of Trade banned lemon exports starting April 8, aiming to stabilize local supply.
The government has pledged support for farmers, with emergency assistance measures now being prepared. Authorities are also looking beyond the immediate crisis, signaling plans to invest in infrastructure and technology that could help buffer the sector from future cold shocks—an odd step to take in a supposedly catastrophically warming world.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/turkeys-crops-crippled-by-deep-freeze
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A wildfire killed at least 10 forest workers and rescuers on Wednesday who were battling to douse the flames near Eskişehir in western Turkey, authorities said.
The agriculture minister, İbrahim Yumakli, said the fire killed five forest workers and five rescuers. Local lawmaker Nebi Hatipoğlu and news website BirGün had earlier said 11 had died.
High temperatures and strong winds have fanned the wildfire between Istanbul and the capital Ankara since Tuesday morning, with the spread threatening homes and forcing the evacuation of several villages.
The victims were wrongfooted when the flames suddenly changed direction, causing them to be "burned alive", according to BirGün.
Twenty-four workers were caught in the "brusque evolution of the flames" of whom 14 were being treated in hospital, Yumakli told broadcasters on Wednesday evening.
"Unfortunately, we have lost five forest workers and five (rescuers)," he added.
Hatipoğlu, a deputy from the ruling AKP party, wrote on X there were "no words to describe our grief".
Turkey has been sweltering since Sunday under temperatures between 6C and 12C above the seasonal norms and several fires have been declared.
Agence France-Presse and Reuters
https://www.sott.net/article/500863-Wildfire-kills-at-least-10-forest-workers-and-rescuers-battling-blaze-in-Turkey