Monday, April 27, 2026, 11:37 a.m
1818 readings
Hail and floods in Turkey PHOTO X/Hava Medya
Strong storms are expected to sweep across parts of eastern and southeastern Turkey, prompting authorities to issue a yellow level weather alert for seven provinces as officials warned of potential flash floods, power outages and localized disruptions.
A yellow alert, a warning level that signals potentially dangerous weather, has been issued for Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa, Batman and Şırnak.
Authorities are urging residents in these provinces to remain vigilant and take precautions against rapidly changing weather conditions.
Widespread instability is developing throughout the country
According to the State Meteorological Service of Turkeymuch of the country is expected to experience partly to mostly cloudy conditions with intermittent rain and thunderstorms affecting several regions throughout the day.
Unsettled weather is forecast to extend from the inland Aegean and inland Mediterranean areas to the southern and eastern parts of Central Anatolia, as well as the eastern Black Sea, eastern Anatolia and southeastern Anatolia. Additional rainfall is also expected around the towns of Hatay, Eskisehir, Ordu and Tokat, as well as in the eastern districts of Samsun.
Localized heavy rainfall increases risk levels
Meteorologists indicate that precipitation may intensify locally in parts of southeastern Turkey, especially in the eastern part of the region, as well as in Elazığ, Bitlis, Şırnak and Hakkâri. These conditions can increase the likelihood of flash floods, flash floods, and lightning hazards.
Authorities also signaled avalanche and snowmelt risks in the high and steep areas of eastern Anatolia and inland areas of the eastern Black Sea, where snow cover remains significant.
The wind picks up as the temperatures rise
Air temperatures are expected to rise slightly by around 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in northern and inland regions. Meanwhile, winds are forecast to blow mainly from southerly directions, changing in parts of the Marmara and northern Aegean Seas.
In the Marmara region, winds are expected to pick up later in the day, reaching speeds of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour, increasing the risk of localized disturbances.
Officials stress that residents should remain cautious as storms approach, especially due to the combined risks of heavy rain, strong winds and lightning.
The warning emphasizes the need to be prepared for sudden changes in weather and possible localized impacts.
Heavy hail in Gaziantep
Severe weather affected the cities of Gaziantep and Elazığ, where a hailstorm covered streets and sidewalks with a white coating. Local media reported that the hail fell suddenly, and some residents sheltered their cars in parking lots or gas stations to protect them. At the same time, the torrential rain led to accumulations of water on several streets.
Elazığ’da buğun ektilı olan kuvvetli dolu yağışından sonra başığı çıkların yolda kaldi.
📍Elazığ, Türkiye.(26.04.2026) pic.twitter.com/aRgmPbpB7E
— Hava Medya (@havamedyaa) April 26, 2026
In the images from Gaziantep, the layer of hail appears so thick that in some areas, the intervention to clean the streets was done with machines.
Gaziantep Nizip’te dolu vilden kapanan yolu açma chalışmaları. 👀
📍Gaziantep, Türkiye. (26.04.2026) pic.twitter.com/CtsuTs3AU3
— Hava Medya (@havamedyaa) April 26, 2026
Other local reports spoke of walnut-sized hail and residents surprised by the intensity of the phenomenon.
