After an exceptional heatwave that scorched much of the country, temperatures were expected to drop sharply Thursday, especially along the coast and in the lowlands. Despite the relief, forecasters said it would remain hotter than normal to unseasonably dry in the mountains and inland areas. Skies were partly cloudy to clear.
According to the Israel Meteorological Service, Jerusalem on Wednesday broke 83-year temperature records for November. The overnight low reached 23°C (73°F), while the daytime high climbed to 32.3°C (90°F), surpassing the previous record of 32.2°C (90°F) set on Nov. 3, 1942.
In Eilon, in the western Galilee, temperatures reached 34.5°C (94°F), beating the previous November record of 34°C (93°F). In Karnei Shomron, 35.1°C (95°F) was recorded, topping the previous record of 33.3°C (92°F). In Negba and Kibbutz Gat, both in the western Negev, new highs of 37.8°C (100°F) and 38.1°C (101°F) were measured, compared with earlier records of 36.1°C (97°F) and 36°C (96.8°F).
Historic records also fell at the Netiv HaLamed-Heh weather station in the Judean lowlands, where 36.9°C (98°F) was recorded, surpassing the previous high of 34.8°C (94.6°F). Along the northern coast, temperatures exceeded 35°C (95°F), with new records set at the Ein HaHoresh and Ein HaShofet stations.
Meteorologists said that beyond the broken records, the heatwave’s duration was highly unusual. Since the start of the 21st century, only four comparable events have been recorded, the most recent two years ago. Before that, such long and intense heat spells occurred just three times from the 1930s until the end of the 20th century, underscoring the warming trend across Israel.
Forecast highs and lows for Thursday:
Jerusalem 18–30°C (64–86°F), Tel Aviv 21–28°C (70–82°F), Haifa 22–32°C (72–90°F), Safed 18–28°C (64–82°F), Katzrin 18–32°C (64–90°F), Tiberias 22–34°C (72–93°F), Nazareth 20–32°C (68–90°F), Afula 20–35°C (68–95°F), Beit She’an 21–36°C (70–97°F), Lod 18–30°C (64–86°F), Ashdod 19–27°C (66–81°F), Ein Gedi 23–31°C (73–88°F), Beersheba 20–29°C (68–84°F), Mitzpe Ramon 17–29°C (63–84°F), Eilat 24–32°C (75–90°F).