Adil Tek

Despite forecasts issued by the Turkish State Meteorological Service, the provincial governor's office and the disaster coordination center (AKOM), snowfall has eluded Istanbul as the "heat island" effect is preventing the anticipated winter wonderland from materializing.

Locals in Turkey have been stuggling under soaring temperatures amid a heatwave from North Africa over the past couple of days, with Istanbul breaking its 106-year high temperature record.