Heat wave hits Israel
As heat wave peaks Israelis take to cooler springs
Extreme heat wave pounds Israel, causing vacationers from all over the country to flee to the springs and rivers; meteorologist forecasts sun will only begin to relent next week.
Families around the country were seen dipping in Israel's streams and river to escape the sweltering heat that has hit the country since the beginning of the week and reached its peak on Tuesday.
At 1pm, the Beit She'an valley was measured at 42 degrees celsius, at Kibbutz Yotvata in the Arava at 39 degrees, while in Kibbutz Shamir in the north temperatures reached 38 degrees.
Vacationers kayaking in the Jordan River (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
At Kibbutz Sha'ar Hagolan in the Jordan Valley, no less than 43 degrees were measured after 3pm local time.
Vacationers escape the heat (צילום: אביהו שפירא)
Giora Frenkel, a meteorologist at Meteo-Tech, said the temperatures are expected to continue rising.
Frenkel also noted that temperatures are felt even more on the coastal plain, where they average only 31-30 degrees celsius, but the high humidity, which soars to 75 percent, may easily cause heat stress.
Photo: Anat Shilo Leshem
With the heat wave pounding Israel, hundreds of vacationers decided to pay a visit to the Hatzbani and Jordan areas.
Photo: Avihu Shapira
"No more air conditioning is needed," said Ofir Nussbaum, who came with the whole family from Kibbutz Kramim in the south to enjoy the cool springs.
The family is staying at Kibbutz Kfar Giladi, and the father and three girls rode the kayak route in the morning, and at noon they swam in the Jordan River, near Kibbutz Amir.
