Dry conditions, strong winds and fire danger: A heat wave will begin on Friday and peak on Saturday and Sunday. According to the Meteorological Service, the heat wave will bring heavy to extreme heat loads across all parts of the country.
The Meteorological Service warned that today (Thursday) temperatures will rise slightly and the weather will become hotter than usual in the mountains and inland areas, and humid along the coastal plain. Heavy to extreme heat loads will prevail in most areas of the country. At night, reduced visibility may occur in the southern coastal plain, the southern lowlands and the northwestern Negev due to local fog.
People swimming in the Sea of Galilee
(Photo: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
According to the service, the heat wave that begins Friday will be accompanied, as noted, by dry conditions, strong winds in northern Israel and a risk of fires. "The hottest area in the country is expected to be the Sea of Galilee and its surroundings and the northern valleys, where temperatures are expected to reach even 47 degrees (116.6°F) on Sunday," it said. The service noted that if the forecast is realized, a new temperature record will be set in that area for 30 years.
On Saturday, heat loads will intensify further, with heavy to extreme heat loads prevailing throughout the country, and the trend is expected to continue on Sunday.
Two days ago, the Meteorological Service warned that "a significant heat wave is on its way to us, beginning Thursday and lasting until the middle of next week. The peak of the heat wave will be from Friday through Sunday, when we will also experience the hottest days of the current summer so far. During the heat wave, heavy to extreme heat loads will be recorded across all parts of the country. In the Jordan Valley, temperatures will reach 46 degrees (114.8°F); in the Arava and the Sea of Galilee area, around 44 to 45 degrees (111.2 to 113°F) are expected; in the Golan Heights, the northern valleys, the Galilee and the Negev, temperatures of 38 to 42 degrees (100.4 to 107.6°F) are expected; and in the mountains, along the coast and in the lowlands, 35 to 36 degrees (95 to 96.8°F).
The forecast temperatures tonight and tomorrow: Jerusalem 21-33 (69.8-91.4°F), Tel Aviv 25-32 (77-89.6°F), Haifa 24-31 (75.2-87.8°F), Safed 23-35 (73.4-95°F), Katzrin 22-39 (71.6-102.2°F), Tiberias 24-39 (75.2-102.2°F), Nazareth 23-37 (73.4-98.6°F), Afula 23-37 (73.4-98.6°F), Beit She’an 27-41 (80.6-105.8°F), Lod 23-34 (73.4-93.2°F), Ashdod 24-32 (75.2-89.6°F), Ein Gedi 29-40 (84.2-104°F), Beersheba 22-37 (71.6-98.6°F), Mitzpe Ramon 24-36 (75.2-96.8°F), Eilat 30-42 (86-107.6°F).