A deep desert low-pressure system swept across Israel overnight Friday into Saturday, bringing strong winds, heavy haze and sandstorms across large parts of the country.
According to the Israel Meteorological Service, wind gusts reached up to 100 kilometers per hour in some areas, while dust blowing in from the Sinai Peninsula significantly reduced visibility and spread heavy haze from southern Israel toward the center of the country.
Sandstorms in southern Israel
(צילום: רוני גרין שאולוב, שמוליק דוד, בקי וידר, רובין קייסי, חיליק מגנוס)
Desert like weather in Israel
The storm intensified Saturday morning and is expected to continue through Saturday evening.
Amir Givati, head of the Israel Meteorological Service, said around 10 a.m. that winds were already reaching about 90 kph from the Egypt border through parts of the Negev and were expected to strengthen further.
“Sandstorms are already raging in the western Negev, the Gaza border communities and areas around Nitzana and the Besor region,” Givati said. The haze later spread to central Israel.
The Israel Electric Corporation said the severe weather in southern Israel damaged power infrastructure and snapped electrical lines, causing power disruptions in several communities in the Negev.
Among the areas affected were Kfar Maimon, Be’eri, Zimrat, Azzuz and Nir Moshe. Utility crews were dispatched to repair the damage and restore electricity. Later reports indicated power outages were also recorded in the city of Rosh HaAyin.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection warned that air pollution levels were high to very high across the country due to airborne particulate matter carried by the dust.
The ministry said air quality is expected to improve only by Saturday night. In consultation with the Health Ministry, officials recommended that sensitive populations, including heart and lung patients, the elderly, children and pregnant women, avoid strenuous outdoor activity. The general public was also advised to limit intense physical activity outdoors.
The unusual orange hue in the sky was caused by sunlight interacting with dust particles carried by strong winds from the Egyptian deserts, Givati said.
He added that the current storm may be only a precursor to another system expected to hit southern Israel on Wednesday, possibly bringing widespread flooding, though forecasts remain uncertain at this stage.
The second half of March, at least until the Passover holiday, may bring continued active or even stormy weather, particularly in southern Israel.
Rain is expected in parts of the country overnight and into Sunday, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Strong winds and heavy haze will continue, and temperatures will rise noticeably, especially in southern and central Israel.
From Saturday evening, flash floods are possible in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea region.
On Sunday, local rain is expected in northern and central Israel, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Light rain is also possible in the northern Negev. Temperatures will drop significantly and humidity will increase.
On Monday morning, drizzle or light rain may still fall in northern and central Israel, with temperatures slightly below seasonal averages.
Another sharp change in weather is forecast for Tuesday, with temperatures rising again and humidity dropping, especially in the mountains and inland areas. Strong easterly winds are expected in the northern hills during the morning hours.
Forecast temperatures for Saturday and Saturday night: Jerusalem 21–13°C, Tel Aviv 26–16°C, Haifa 23–17°C, Safed 15–12°C, Katzrin 19–14°C, Tiberias 20–15°C, Nazareth 20–15°C, Afula 21–14°C, Beit She’an 21–15°C, Lod 26–15°C, Ashdod 26–15°C, Ein Gedi 24–19°C, Beersheba 24–16°C, Mitzpe Ramon 19–15°C and Eilat 27–21°C.