In pictures: Heavy snowfall in Istanbul

The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week.

People walk in front of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, at Sultanahmet square during snowfalls in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Yasin Akgul/AFP/Getty Images)

A Syrian woman walks with her children at Kucukpazar district near Sultanahmet during snowfalls in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Yasin Akgul/AFP/Getty Images)

People walk at Sultanahmet square during snowfalls in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Yasin Akgul/AFP/Getty Images)

A newly married couple walk at Sultanahmet square during snowfalls in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Yasin Akgul/AFP/Getty Images)

A man uses an umbrella to protect himself from snow as he walks in a street in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Yasin Akgul/AFP/Getty Images)

A picture taken from the Galata tower shows an aerial view of the historic city centre of Istanbul covered by snow, during heavy snowfalls in Istanbul. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

A dog sleeps on the snow at the Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet) district during snowfalls in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

People fish on the Galata bridge during snowfalls in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

Fishers warm up next to a bonfire on Galata bridge at Karakoy district during snowfalls in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Heavy snow blanketed Istanbul for a second day on January 8, 2017, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and more disruption for thousands of travellers. The snowfall was forecast to lessen later in the day but unusually cold temperatures, even for the time of year, well below freezing were expected throughout the week. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

People walk next to a tramway on Istiklal avenue during snowfalls in Istanbul on January 7, 2017. A heavy snowstorm paralysed life in Istanbul with hundreds of flights cancelled and the Bosphorus closed to shipping traffic. The snowstorm dumped almost 40 centimetres (16 inches) of snow in parts of the Turkish metropolis overnight, causing havoc on roads as travellers sought to leave the city for the weekend getaway. (Yasin Akgul/AFP/Getty Images)