As first snow falls on Israel's north, US warns citizens: Pack a shovel
After last year's winter saw a cold snap overtake Israel, US issued a travel warning this year urging citizens to 'consider deferring any non-essential travel ... as even a small amount of snow accumulation can result in road closures.'
Winter in Israel: Over 2 cm of snow fell on the lower part of Mount Hermon Saturday, Israel's northern most spot, in the first snow for this winter, a year after a massive cold snap left scores stranded in Jerusalem and the north, prompting the US to issue a strange travel warning to the country.
Though winter was just getting started, the US embassy quickly issued a travel warning urging its citizens to pack a "shovel, and emergency food supplies in the event you are stranded," and "consider deferring any non-essential travel."
Explain the recommendation, the embassy said that similar "weather conditions at this same time of year in 2014 resulted in the closure of major roadways, stranded and isolated motorists, and difficult/perilous travel conditions."
In the meantime, rain also fell across the country, creating a picturesque atmosphere as a rainbow was spotted in a number of spots nationwide. Flash flooding was expected in the south next week.
According to meteorologist, Saturday's weather was just the opening shot for a more serious coldfront making its way to Israel and expected to arrive later this week.
Last year was dominated by a region wide cold snap that saw Jerusalem covered in snow and massive storms across the nation. Though this year is not expected to reach such record levels, but it will see rain and thunderstorms from north to south.
Raanan Ben-Zur and Yael Hadad contributed to this report
