A deep desert low-pressure system reached the region overnight between Friday and Saturday, bringing extreme weather conditions including very strong winds, heavy haze and dust storms.
According to the Israel Meteorological Service, wind gusts could reach up to 100 km/h, while heavy dust carried from the Sinai Peninsula is expected to blanket much of the country. The peak of the system is forecast from Saturday morning through the evening.
Beginning overnight, hazy conditions spread across Israel, particularly in southern areas. Local rain is expected in most regions and isolated thunderstorms are possible. Strong winds will blow nationwide, with particularly intense winds and dust storms expected in the south.
Temperatures are forecast to rise significantly, especially in southern and central Israel, and will be higher than seasonal averages. From the evening hours, flash floods may develop in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea area.
Ahead of the expected haze, the Environmental Protection Ministry warned of high to very high air pollution levels across the country due to respirable particles carried by dust. Air quality is expected to improve only by Saturday night.
Under these conditions, the ministry, in consultation with the Health Ministry, recommends that sensitive populations, including people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, children and pregnant women, avoid strenuous outdoor activity outdoors. The general public is advised to reduce intense physical activity outdoors.
On Sunday, local rain is expected in northern and central Israel, with isolated thunderstorms possible. Light local rain may also fall in the northern Negev. Temperatures will drop significantly and humidity will rise.
On Monday, through the morning hours, light drizzle or local rain may still occur in northern and central Israel. Temperatures will be slightly below seasonal averages.
Another sharp shift in the weather is expected on Tuesday. Temperatures will rise significantly again while humidity drops, mainly in the mountains and inland areas. During the morning, brisk easterly winds are expected in the northern mountains.
Forecast temperatures for today and tonight:
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; Eilat 27-21°C.