Snowmageddon in Ankara
On March 9 and 10, about 30 centimeters of snow fell in Ankara. High winds and very cold temperatures exacerbated the situation. Drifts formed, and as snow melted in the daytime on Wednesday, low nighttime temperatures caused the wet streets and sidewalks to freeze, making walking and driving treacherous. Records indicate that this is the worst snowstorm in Ankara in 10 years and the worst in March in over 25 years. For the safety of students and academic and administrative staff the University was closed on Wednesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 10. All classes and exams were cancelled, and all academic and administrative staff were given the days off. Real remained open on March 9, but the upper parking lot was not plowed, and Praktiker and the cinema were closed. One shopper noted that it was the first time he had ever checked out without a line at the cash registers. Classes resumed at the University on Friday, March 11. Thanks to the efforts of Bilkent support staff, the snowfall did not impede traffic movement around the university too much, except that shuttle buses ran on the weekend schedule; main roads, parking lots, side roads, and sidewalks were cleared of the snow and ice for safety. Traffic in Ankara was so bad that 5:30 p.m. buses going into the city from Bilkent did not arrive downtown until 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Cars were abandoned on the ice all over Ankara. Despite the havoc caused, the snow was beautiful on Bilkent’s pines.
