Israel is preparing for a sharp intensification of the heat, with temperatures around the Sea of Galilee expected to reach 47 degrees Celsius early next week and relief not forecast until Tuesday. Dr. Amir Givati, director of the Israel Meteorological Service, said Thursday that the heat wave would be the most significant and prolonged of the current season.
“Until now, the summer of 2026 has not really been terrible, but we will already feel temperatures rising today,” Givati told the ynet studio. “Saturday will be scorching, and at the beginning of next week we are talking about 47 degrees in the Sea of Galilee region. This is the most significant and prolonged heat wave of the current season.”
The Meteorological Service warned of heavy to extreme heat stress across the country.
Friday is expected to be hotter than usual to extremely hot in the mountains and inland areas, while the coastal plain will be humid. Heat stress will intensify further Saturday, reaching heavy to extreme levels nationwide, and the conditions will continue Sunday.
“This time it will come from the north, so the Galilee and Golan regions will scorch,” Givati said. “There will also be dry winds and very low humidity, which means we are concerned about fires during these days.
“Every cigarette butt that is thrown away becomes dangerous when strong winds begin. People must be extremely careful during outdoor activity and must not leave anything burning. Every small spark can become a major fire.”
Asked what he recommended for people planning outdoor activities, Givati urged the public to avoid exertion during the hottest hours. “There was a similar heat wave in August last year, and there were quite a few cases of heatstroke and even worse outcomes,” he said. “This is a truly extreme heat event.
“People in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area may not fully understand what we are talking about, but in the north it will be extremely hot and dry during the afternoon.” Temperatures are expected to begin falling only Tuesday, he said.
At the Ein Gev Holiday Resort beach on the Sea of Galilee, lifeguard station manager Hagai Peleg said the heat was already becoming noticeable. “I assume that by noon we will easily reach 43 degrees here, perhaps even higher,” he said. “In the shallow water, it feels like stepping into soup. Once you move into deeper water, it begins to feel a little cooler.
“The options here are either to get into the water or stay in the air conditioning. Being outside during the hottest hours is simply awful.”
Peleg said he did not believe the extreme heat would deter visitors. “We are fully booked,” he said. “Since the season opened at the beginning of April, visitors have continued arriving, and that is a good thing. People are eager to come to the Sea of Galilee, including here at the Ein Gev resort. The area is crowded with travelers, and the heat does not seem to bother them.”
The Sea of Galilee
(Photo: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Peleg advised visitors to take regular breaks during the hottest hours and avoid remaining in the water for too long. “Wear a hat, use sunscreen, put on a long-sleeved shirt, drink plenty of water and enjoy yourselves,” he said. “We have a beautiful Sea of Galilee.
“It is very important to visit only officially designated beaches with lifeguard services and not take unnecessary risks. We are here to keep you safe so you can enjoy yourselves and return home safely.”
Peleg said the lifeguards’ towers were air-conditioned and that staff members also entered the water to cool down. “Every morning I have to swim and feel the water,” he said. “After so many years working here, the water has become an inseparable part of us.”
Forecast temperatures for Thursday and overnight were: Jerusalem 33-21°C, Tel Aviv 32-25°C, Haifa 31-24°C, Safed 35-23°C, Katzrin 39-22°C, Tiberias 39-24°C, Nazareth 37-23°C, Afula 37-23°C, Beit She’an 41-27°C, Lod 34-23°C, Ashdod 32-24°C, Ein Gedi 40-29°C, Beersheba 37-22°C, Mitzpe Ramon 36-24°C and Eilat 42-30°C.