In winter seasons, the drop in air temperatures below 0°C causes the freezing of surface liquids, resulting in the formation of ice (NOAA, 2024; Organization, 1992; WMO, 2017). Following the rainfall and snowfall, freezing events are observed as temperatures drop (Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü [MGM], 2022). This situation creates challenging moments, especially for drivers and pedestrians in traffic, and poses a serious safety issue (Cary, 2010). In a continental climate type, summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and generally snowy (Erinç, 1996). In Türkiye, the continental climate type dominates the high areas of the inner parts of the Eastern Anatolia Region, the Central Anatolia Region, and the Eastern Black Sea Region (Atalay, 2013). Low temperatures are one of the characteristics of a continental climate, which, particularly in the interior regions, lead to snowfall and frost events during the winter months as degrees drop.
According to the IPCC's 6th Assessment Report, as the amount of global warming increases, the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events will also rise (IPCC, 2022). In this context, it is expected that the incidence of ice occurring during winter periods will also increase due to the effects of global warming. Sudden temperature drops and subsequent frost events can lead to more frequent and severe icing, especially in regions dominated by a continental climate. This situation poses serious risks in terms of traffic safety and creates dangerous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians (Hong et al., 2021). In cities like Gümüşhane, where heavy snowfall and low temperatures are common during the winter months, the increase in the frequency and severity of ice formation has a negative impact on residents' daily lives and safety. For this reason, it is critical to understand the local impacts of global climate change and take the necessary measures.
The city of Gümüşhane, located in the region behind the Black Sea, experiences frigid and harsh winters due to its physical geography characteristics (Atalay & Mortan, 2011). This situation causes social problems in the city. The harsh winter conditions in Gümüşhane not only affect daily life but can also impact important sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and energy. For this reason, examining the long-term temperature trends in the city is important for both daily life and infrastructure planning. In this regard, according to the data from the Gümüşhane Meteorology Station Directorate (1965–2020), the long-term average value of daily average temperatures at the Gümüşhane station is 9.6°C (MGM, 2024). The coldest months at this station are December, January, February, and March (Fig. 1). In January and February, the daily average temperatures are below 0°C for 9 days. During this period, which can be considered a cold season, the lowest daily average temperature was recorded on January 15th, at -2.9°C (Gürçay, 2022).
Since February 24th, average daily temperatures have risen above 0°C. The other period when temperatures drop below 0°C corresponds to the second half of December. At the Gümüşhane Meteorology Station, during the December-February period, daily average temperatures fell below 0°C for 64 days, while the period when temperatures were below 5°C spans from November to March (132 days) (Gürçay, 2022). When examining the monthly average temperatures of the station in the research area, it is observed that January has the lowest average temperature at -1.8°C. The temporal variation in winter temperatures at the station is an important indicator of the effect arising from maritime and continental characteristics. The Zigana Mountains, which stretch roughly east-west in the north of the year, block the humid air mass, causing the city to experience a cold climate during the winter months (Atalay, 2017). This situation is a significant reason for the harsh winter conditions in Gümüşhane and the frequency of icing events.
Long-term averages show a total of 103.8 frost days in the city of Gümüşhane. Not only do cloudy days occur in the summer months, but they also occur in all other months. In particular, December, January, and February are the months with the highest number of frosty days (Fig. 2). Because of the cold weather during these months, frost events occur more frequently. This situation negatively affects all aspects of life, especially traffic. Additionally, the city of Gümüşhane has a climate that is predominantly continental compared to the Eastern Black Sea coastal region. For this reason, the number of snowy days averages about 35 days per year (Işık et al., 2019). The heaviest snowfall occurs in December, January, and February. This situation increases the frequency and severity of icing events that occur in the city during the winter months, negatively impacting the residents' daily lives and safety.
The continental climate conditions extend the duration of snow cover on the ground, leading to a high number of snowy days. According to long-term measurements from the Gümüşhane Meteorology Station, the average snow depth in the city can reach up to 1 meter in winter (Işık et al., 2019). In 1992, we measured the highest snow depth at 2.5 meters, and in 2014, we recorded the lowest snow depth at 14 cm (Fig. 3). As stated above, the climate conditions in the city of Gümüşhane are very harsh during the winter months. The problems brought about by both rainfall and physical characteristics negatively affect life, especially during the winter season (Işık et al., 2019). The snowfall that occurs during the winter months sometimes leads to road closures and a constant formation of ice throughout the winter. Icing is a natural phenomenon that occurs at temperatures below 0°C, and this situation can cause roads to become slippery. Accumulated snow or ice on airports, highways, and bridges is causing accidents for careless drivers (Balbay & Esen, 2007).
The formation of ice on road surfaces reduces the friction resistance between vehicle tires and the pavement, leading to slipperiness (“Gizli buzlanma Gümüşhane’de kazaya sebep oldu...”, 2022) and potentially causing serious problems (Seferoğlu et al., 2015). The central population of the city of Gümüşhane is 54,503 people, according to the 2023 data. The population consists of 26,974 males and 27,529 females (TÜİK, 2024). A significant portion of the population consists of university, high school, middle school, and elementary school students. On the central campus alone, there are 14,988 university students, 2,755 high school students, 1,971 middle school students, 2,542 elementary school students, and 735 kindergarten students. In the mountainous and northern slopes of the city, the long duration of snow cover and the late onset of melting ice lead to prolonged transportation issues. This situation is causing significant problems for this student population, including disruptions in education and injuries like broken arms and legs (“Gümüşhane’de eğitime buzlanma engeli”, 2022; “Gümüşhane’de okullar buzlanma ve don nedeniyle...”, 2022). The snowfall and icing that occur during the winter months due to climate conditions have a significant impact on city life.
The aim of this study is to prevent the closure of roads due to snowfall and icing in the city of Gümüşhane and to expedite the resolution process of health and safety issues arising from such natural disasters. For the first time in Türkiye, this study aims to address a crucial need by detecting frozen and closed roads and devising solutions to the issue. In this context, the study's importance is quite high. The identification of areas in the city of Gümüşhane where snowfall and ice events frequently occur, along with the creation of a detailed icing map, will be achieved through the use of meteorological data and topographic factors. Additionally, developing strategies for identifying and clearing priority routes during transportation closures involves evaluating factors such as traffic density, geographical location, and usage priority. This study also aims to create a more resilient urban structure against future icing issues by providing recommendations for urban planning and infrastructure development in areas with a high risk of icing. In this way, it is aimed to contribute to the more effective adaptation of the climate conditions such as snowfall and icing in the city of Gümüşhane and to enhance the safety and quality of life of its residents.