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

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.

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

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