Snow brings Istanbul to a near halt

Snow continued to fall on Turkey's largest city overnight into Tuesday bringing the metropolis of some 16 million people to a near halt. Authorities in Istanbul, which bridges the European and Asian continents, suspended intercity bus services and temporarily blocked travel to the city from Turkey's northwestern Thrace region.

The city's Disaster Coordination Center or AKOM worked to remove snow from roads and highways. The Istanbul governor's office announced that civil servants would be allowed to stay at home on Tuesday, except for those employed in security, health and transportation sectors.

Schools across Turkey are closed for a winter break, but universities halted classes for two days. Public offices and shopping malls closed early and people were urged to stay home. AKOM says an Icelandic low-pressure system is behind the cold front and precipitation affecting most of Turkey.