People ares seen at the Sultanahmet Square as the historical Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, is seen at the background during a snowfall in Istanbul, Turkey on January 6, 2017. Erhan Sevenler / Anadolu Agency
While heavy snowfall and snowstorms have paralyzed life in İstanbul, they have also created an opportunity for photographers to capture “white İstanbul” over the last three days.
Heavy snow started late on Friday and was continuing across both the European and Asian sides of İstanbul as of Sunday, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and disruption for thousands of travellers.
The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day, but unusually cold temperatures, even for this time of year, well below freezing, were expected throughout the week.
Schools will be closed on Monday in 32 cities including İstanbul due to heavy snowfall.
People walk next to a tram on İstiklal Avenue during snowfall in Istanbul on January 7, 2017. / AFP / YASIN AKGULA man walks on a snow-covered sidewalk near the Bosporus during heavy snowfall in Istanbul on January 07, 2017. Arif Hudaverdi Yaman / Anadolu AgencyPeople walk in Taksim Square during snowfall in Istanbul on January 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / YASIN AKGULA man walks on the snow-covered Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn during heavy snowfall in Istanbul on January 07, 2017. Erhan Sevenler / Anadolu AgencyA stray dog stands in front of the Hagia Sophia Museum in the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) district during snowfall in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / OZAN KOSEPeople are seen around the Ortakoy Mosque in a snowy street during heavy snowfall in Istanbul’s Ortakoy district on January 07, 2017. Berk Ozkan / Anadolu AgencyA newly married couple walk in Sultanahmet Square during snowfall in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / YASIN AKGULPeople walk in Sultanahmet Square during snowfall in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / YASIN AKGUL