Snow in Rize: Depth reaches 70 centimetres on Handüzü Plateau

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions disrupted travel in Rize’s highlands. Snow reached 70 centimetres on Handüzü Plateau, where some vehicles became stranded.

General News

Mirat Haber

10/11/2026 03:59

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Snow depth reached 70 centimetres on Handüzü Plateau in Rize’s Güneysu district. Heavy snow and blizzard conditions left some vehicles stranded, while slippery roads led to accidents. Snowfall at higher elevations made travel difficult for drivers using routes to the plateaus.

Affected areas and weather warnings

Snow reached 70 centimetres on Handüzü Plateau, which lies at an elevation of about 1,800 metres.
Snow depth exceeded 30 centimetres on Cimil Plateau in İkizdere.
The Ayder, Kavrun, Huser, Avusor and Samistal plateaus in Çamlıhemşin were also covered in snow.
The Turkish State Meteorological Service’s assessment on 7 November highlighted risks of heavy snow, ice and frost at higher elevations.

Why did travel become difficult on Handüzü Plateau?

Snowfall that began on Handüzü Plateau on 5 November intensified on 8 November, accompanied by blizzard conditions. Alongside the heavy snow, reduced visibility and slippery roads made it difficult for drivers to proceed. Some vehicles became stranded and accidents occurred on slippery roads; the disruption was not limited to snow accumulation.

The cold weather affecting Rize in early November gave way to heavy snowfall at higher elevations. Roads and the surrounding landscape on Handüzü Plateau were blanketed in snow.

Warnings for drivers using plateau roads

The Turkish State Meteorological Service’s assessment, issued on 7 November, highlighted the risks of ice and frost as well as heavy snow. The heavy precipitation warning was reported to remain in effect until midday on Monday, 9 November.

Snow also covers other plateaus

Snow also covered the Ayder, Kavrun, Huser, Avusor and Samistal plateaus in Çamlıhemşin district. On Cimil Plateau in İkizdere district, snow depth was reported to have exceeded 30 centimetres.

Snow also made travel difficult along the Mount Ovit route. The Haberler.com report put snow depth around Ovit at 50 centimetres in its main text, while its summary said it had exceeded 50 centimetres.