The massive "Carmel" winter storm arrived on Israel's shores on Monday and is set to bring with it powerful winds, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, cold temperatures and even snow.
The storm, which will peak on Monday evening and gradually weaken by Wednesday, has already seen its first victim when a man in his 50s from the central coastal city of Netanya was seriously hurt when a tree collapsed on him.
United Hatzalah volunteer, who was the first responder at the scene said, "When I arrived at the scene I found a man in critical condition lying under a tree. According to an eyewitness the tree fell on him while he was walking. Together with city workers and another United Hatzalah volunteer that arrived we picked up the tree and began CPR on the critically injured man."
The man was transferred to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikka in severe but stable condition.
Meteorologists, meanwhile, warned of high winds of up to 80 to 100 kilometers per hour, high rain of up to 100 millimeters and waves of up to four to six meters.
Snow was also expected on Mount Hermon and throughout the Golan Heights.
Flood warnings have been issued for all communities along the coast, as well as in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea area.
The northern coastal city of Haifa announced on Sunday that it had raised its level of preparedness in anticipation of the storm, preparing for flooding and falling debris due to strong winds.
Likewise, Nahariya announced it would be conducting remote learning for students.
"We are facing some challenging days and rainfall amounts that will bring hazards. The emergency forces will be ready to meet the challenges but I ask you to take care of yourselves," said Public Security Minister Omer Barlev.
The storm is the third named storm in the Eastern Mediterranean Group of EUMETNET, which includes the meteorological services of Israel, Greece and Cyprus. Other Hebrew names in the list for the 2021/2022 season include Irit, Joel, Lavi, Ora and Raphael.
On Monday, in the northern city of Haifa, the temperatures will range from 14 degrees Celsius during the day to 9 degrees at night. In Tel Aviv, the weather will be similar with a range of 15 degrees during the day and 12 degrees at night. In the southern city of Be’er Sheva, temperatures will range from 14 degrees throughout the day to 8 degrees at night. In Jerusalem, the temperatures will be cooler, reaching 9 degrees during the day and falling to 6 overnight, while in the southernmost city of Eilat the weather will remain mild with 20 degrees during the day and 14 at night.
Local showers are expected on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with the weather clearing up on Friday.