While Israelis all around the country are preparing to don their masks in celebration of the holiday of Purim, the country finds itself garbed in a white blanket as a rare snowstorm hit Israel on Tuesday.
In Jerusalem, snowflakes fell briefly overnight in some neighborhoods and again on Tuesday morning, while the scenic peaks of the Galilee and the Golan Heights in northern Israel were all but painted white during the night.
In Israel's higher and more mountainous areas more snowfall is expected throughout the day, including in Jerusalem where it is expected to be exceedingly cold.
Purim celebrations have already taken place in educational facilities across the capital. They were brought forward due to expected freezing weather on Purim eve, but in local authorities where they were not brought forward, the children arrived dressed up in kindergartens and schools, when the weather outside is particularly cold.
At around 5am, it also began to snow on Mount Harif in the Negev, the second highest mountain in the area. This is the first snow of the season on the mountain, allowing the locals to enjoy the wintry and snowy weather in the desert.
In other parts of the country, Tuesday is expected to be quite rainy until the evening hours, with temperatures dropping to single-digits in many areas.
According to the Water Authority, the level of the Sea of Galilee Tuesday morning was -209.49, an increase of 2 cm from earlier this week.
While the rain is expected to stop by Wednesday, the drop in temperatures will most likely continue. On Thursday, Purim day, and on Friday the temperatures will rise gradually, while in northern Israel additional rain is expected.
Next week will see a significant increase in temperatures, the first sign of an encroaching heatwave heading towards Israel.
Predicted temperatures for Tuesday and Tuesday night in Celsius: Jerusalem 1-6, Tel Aviv 7-12, Haifa 5-8, Safed 1-4, Tiberias 6-13, Nazareth 3-9, Be'er Sheva 3-12, and Eilat 9-17.