After much anticipation, it finally started snowing in Jerusalem and the country's north on Wednesday.
The first snowflakes were spotted in the capital's most elevated areas, including the French Hill, Mount Herzl and Gilo. They melted at first but then went on to stack up, covering the city in a thin layer of white, only to melt again shortly thereafter.
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Municipal prepartions for the snowfall were underway as the storm was expected to escalate. Some 100 snow plows and no less than 40 tons of salt were placed on standby in order to keep the roads safe for traffic. The cost of what has come to be known as "Operation Snow" in the capital has mounted to NIS 1 million (roughly $265,000).
Jerusalem. (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
(Photo: Noam (Dabul) Dvir)
(Photo: Noam (Dabul) Dvir)
Kindergartens and schools closed as early as 12 pm, and the public was asked to refrain from using private vehicles in order to keep main roads clear. Free bus and train rides were to be offered starting at 6 pm in order to encourage the use of public transport.
"The Jerusalem Municipality is ready," Mayor Nir Barkat announced earlier Wednesday, after confessing he too hopes for a white city.
In the northern Golan Heights, up to ten centimeters of snow amassed by early afternoon. The Upper Galilee and Mount Meron saw some five centimeters of snow, while two centimeters stacked up in Hebron.
A white day in the Golan Heights (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
(Photo: Hagai Aharon)
(Photo: Hagai Aharon)
(Photo: Hagai Aharon)
(Photo: Hagai Aharon)
Roads in the north were closed to traffic after repeated attempts to clear them failed.
Due to the blocked roads, some local travelers staying in the area were stranded.
"We planned to leave today, but the snow made it impossible, so we'll stay until tomorrow. It's lovely here," Yonit Rubin, a Haifa resident who arrived in the area with her husband and three children, told Ynet.
Noam (Dabul) Dvir and Maor Buchnik contributed to this article