Iranian authorities ordered the closure of schools and public services in at least 10 provinces hit by cold today to save energy, and some Iranians were asked to limit their travel due to the snow, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
In recent days, low temperatures have covered large areas in the north of the country, which automatically led to an increase in energy consumption and put pressure on the electricity grid and gas distribution.
In these provinces, all administrations and banks are closed on today, which is a working day in Iran, and distance learning is provided for students, the state news agency IRNA reported, citing a decision by the working group for energy consumption management. According to IRNA, these measures affect about 10 of Iran's 31 provinces, including Lorestan, Semnan and Gilan.
In Gilan, about 130 kilometers from the capital Tehran, 220 centimeters of snow fell in places, meteorologist Mohammad Dadras told Fars news agency.
In the capital Tehran, at the foot of the Alborz mountain range, up to 30 centimeters of snow fell last night, according to IRNA. However, no closures of administrative buildings were reported.
Snow in Tehran is not unusual at this time of year, but its appearance was sudden after temperatures dropped more than 10 degrees during the day on Friday due to a cold snap.
At least 25 provinces were hit by snowfall or heavy rain on Friday, causing local traffic disruptions, state media reported.
Iran's Meteorological Agency urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to these regions for the next 24 hours, even though the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution will be celebrated tomorrow.
Urmia, a city in the northwestern part of the country near Turkey, received up to 50 cm of snow on Wednesday, IRNA reported.
“This is a record for more than 10 years“, the meteorological agency said.