Authorities in Iran announced that on Wednesday, December 31, schools and government offices will be closed in nearly all provinces in response to extreme cold, energy consumption management, and the continued spread of influenza.
The shutdown covers the entire country, leaving only South Khorasan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, Sistan-Baluchestan, and Khuzestan unaffected.
Mohammad Asghari, a meteorologist, warned that intensified storm activity will bring heavy precipitation to six provinces, with Wednesday expected to be the coldest day in many parts of the country, including Tehran. He added that the current weather system will move eastward and exit Iran by Thursday, but a new front from the northwest is forecast to bring fresh instability starting January 1.
The cold front has already produced snow and rain across much of Iran, though Tehran saw only light snow in northern districts. Strong winds on December 30 cleared the capital’s air, briefly ranking it the fourth cleanest city worldwide, a welcome respite for residents accustomed to heavy pollution.
The shutdown comes as Iran faces severe natural gas imbalances, raising concerns over heating supplies. Last winter, several cities experienced gas outages during similar cold spells.
