Snow on Mount Hermon
Photo: Hermon Ski Site
Israel braces for cold spell, rain and strong winds
Temperatures drop with rain, thunderstorms and hail expected throughout Israel; snow begins to fall on Mount Hermon and is expected to spread to the Golan Heights and higher Galilee mountaintops.
A significant cold spell hit Israel on Sunday morning as another winter storm is expected to hit. It may not hold a candle to monster storm Jonas, currently paralyzing the US eastern seaboard, but in Israeli terms it is formidable nevertheless.
Rainy and stormy weather, which began early in the morning, is expected to continue throughout the day from the north to the Negev. So far, northern Israel, particularly the western Galilee and the Hula Valley, has seen the most rainfall.
Photo: Yaron Brener
The rain will be accompanied by scattered thunderstorms and hail. Flooding may occur in eastern Israel and in the Negev. Haze might form in the southern Negev.
Photo: Yifat Yaakobson
Several centimeters of snow fell on Mount Hermon overnight, but the ski site will be closed for visitors Sunday. The snow will start spreading towards the northern Golan Heights and Gallilee mountaintops over 900 meters high around noon time. Around evening time, snow might fall in northern and central Israel mountains over 800 meters high.
The Mediterranean Sea will be stormy and hit with southwestern wind gusts at 30-60 kph, with some blowing as hard as 70-80 kph. Waves are expected to be 350-800 cm high.
Photo: Yaron Brener
The storm is expected to abate on Monday, but the cold spell will continue. Rainfall will also continue, mostly in central and southern Israel, accompanied by thunderstorms and hail. Northern Israel, meanwhile, will see a decrease in precipitation, while mountains in central Israel over 700 meters high might see some sporadic light snow. Overnight, snow might increase in central Israel mountains that are over 700 meters high. Snow might also fall in Jerusalem.
