Channels

Photo: Aviel Segal
Haze in Eilat
Photo: Aviel Segal

Big sandstorm hits Eilat, causing airport, road closures

Sand coming from Sinai covered Israel's southernmost resort city, painting it yellow; the airport in Eilat was closed for landings and takeoffs while roads were briefly blocked as well.

Haze and heavy pollution struck Eilat on Thursday afternoon as Israel's southernmost resort city was hit by sandstorms coming from the Sinai Peninsula.

 

 

Eilat sand storm    (צילום: מאיר אוחיון, עומר דהן)

Eilat sand storm

סגורסגור

שליחה לחבר

 הקלידו את הקוד המוצג
תמונה חדשה

שלח
הסרטון נשלח לחברך

סגורסגור

הטמעת הסרטון באתר שלך

 קוד להטמעה:

 

"A haze is currently forming over Sinai and the wind is blowing it towards Eilat," said Tzahi Wachsman, a meteorologist for Meteo Tech.

 

Sandstorms painted the city in shades of yellow and orange, and the Israel Airport Authority announced that all flights are discontinued due to poor visibility conditions.

 

Haze and sand storms in Eilat (Photo: Haim David photography)
Haze and sand storms in Eilat (Photo: Haim David photography)

(Photo: Yasmin Dahan)
(Photo: Yasmin Dahan)

Route 90 was beliefly blocked in both directions from the Arava road to Eilat and route 12 was blocked from Eilat to the north because of the harsh weather conditions, with the roads reopening after about half an hour.

 

Wachsman postulated that the haze may also spread to the Negev region, but will probably not last long and will not be as strong. He added that "there is a chance of a drizzle Thursday evening and night … which may bring forth rain accompanied by mud."

 

(Photo: Meir Ohayon)
(Photo: Meir Ohayon)

 

The Ministry of Environmental Protection said the storm is expected to continue until midnight. The ministry warned of high concentrations of inhalable particles in Eilat and the Arava area, and upon consultation with the Ministry of Health, it was recommended that the general population refrain from strenuous physical activity outside. It is also recommended for sensitive populations—including those suffering from heart or lung diseases, the elderly, pregnant women and children—to refrain from staying outside unnecessarily.

(Photo: Aviel Segal)
(Photo: Aviel Segal)

(Photo: Tali Aziza)
(Photo: Tali Aziza)

  

The weather during the evening and overnight is expected to be pleasant and partly cloudy, and there's a chance of a local drizzle. On Friday, it will continue to be cloudy and temperatures will drop. In the north of the country, there may be a slight drizzle that will develop into local rain during the night hours.

 

(Photo: Sharon Nahmani)
(Photo: Sharon Nahmani)

(Photo: Tamir S)
(Photo: Tamir S)

 

On Saturday, there will be another drop in temperatures and it will become unusually cool for the season, especially in the mountains. Local rain will fall occasionally, especially in the north of the country, and in the center, light local rain is expected.

 

On Sunday, there will be a slight increase in temperatures, but it will still be a bit cooler than normal, especially in the mountains. In the morning, there may be a drizzle in the north of the country. On Monday, it will get even warmer and temperatures will be slightly higher than usual for the season. At night, the air will be cool and humid.

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.18.17, 18:44
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment