After unusually hot weather on Friday, conditions shifted sharply overnight as winter returned. On Saturday, skies will be cloudy and temperatures will drop. Local showers are expected nationwide from the morning, strengthening toward midday and accompanied by thunderstorms.
Authorities warn of a high risk of flash floods in southern and eastern riverbeds, including near Eilat. Local showers will continue overnight, with isolated thunderstorms possible. Flood risk in the south and east will persist in the first part of the night before rainfall gradually weakens.
Police said several major roads leading to Eilat and Arava communities could be closed from midday through the night because of flood threats. Officers are preparing for disruptions along Route 90 from Ein Gedi to Eilat. Following a morning assessment, police said Route 40 would close from Mitzpe Ramon to Tzihor Junction and onward to Ketura Junction starting at 10 a.m. Route 12 will also be closed from Neot Smadar Junction to Eilat’s western entrance.
Police urged travelers to plan ahead for trips to and from Eilat during Shabbat and adjust routes based on expected weather conditions. “Eilat District officers and national traffic police will be deployed in the relevant areas to provide service and ensure public safety,” the statement said. For emergencies, the public was advised to call the police hotline at 100.
On Sunday, skies will be clear to partly cloudy with a significant drop in temperatures, returning to seasonal norms. Light local showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible in the north during the morning, tapering off later in the day.
On Monday, partly cloudy conditions will continue with chances of local showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly along the northern coast. Similar conditions are expected Tuesday, with a slight flood risk in eastern streams from the afternoon.
Forecast highs and lows (Saturday–Sunday):
Jerusalem 24–14°C; Tel Aviv 23–17°C; Haifa 25–19°C; Safed 19–13°C; Katzrin 22–15°C; Tiberias 24–18°C; Nazareth 23–16°C; Afula 25–17°C; Beit Shean 26–18°C; Lod 25–15°C; Ashdod 23–16°C; Ein Gedi 24–19°C; Be’er Sheva 25–15°C; Mitzpe Ramon 23–13°C; Eilat 27–20°C.