Heavy snowfall closes schools in 14 Turkish provinces, children enjoy the break

Heavy snowfall across Turkey has closed schools in 14 provinces, while children turned the sudden break into playtime.

In Van, where snow reached half a metre overnight, the governor’s office announced a one-day closure for all schools on Monday.

In Karabük’s Safranbolu district, residents filled the old town’s narrow streets, turning slopes into makeshift ski runs as children sledged on plastic bags.

In Bingöl’s Karlıova district, two days of continuous snow blocked village roads and halted transport-based lessons.

The storm disrupted daily life in parts of the country but brought brief joy for many enjoying a rare winter spectacle.