Israel’s severe heat wave was already being felt across the country Saturday, a day before it was expected to reach its peak, with temperatures climbing above 40°C (104°F) in many inland areas.
The highest temperature was recorded at Gilgal in the Jordan Valley, where the mercury reached about 45.2°C (113.4°F). Temperatures rose to 43.5°C (110.3°F) at Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, 42.5°C (108.5°F) in Tiberias and 43.5°C (110.3°F) in the Beit She’an area.
Amnon Bay Beach
(Photo: Oshri Ben Dor, Sea of Galilee Cities Association)
Dr. Amir Givati, director of the Israel Meteorological Service, said temperatures of 40°C (104°F) or higher were recorded across a broad stretch of the country, from Dafna near the northern border through the Hula Valley, Beit She’an Valley, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and Arava regions, and as far south as Eilat.
Jerusalem reached 36.1°C (97°F), while temperatures in the Judean foothills climbed to about 40°C (104°F).
The coastal plain avoided the most extreme temperatures, with readings remaining near 30°C (86°F) because of the Mediterranean Sea. However, humidity levels of 70% to 75% created very high to extreme heat stress there as well.
The heat wave is expected to peak Sunday, with another rise in temperatures. Updated forecasts indicate temperatures could reach about 45°C (113°F) around the Sea of Galilee and between 46°C and 46.5°C (114.8°F to 115.7°F) in the Jordan Valley.
Despite the extreme heat, many Israelis spent Saturday outdoors. About 45,000 visitors entered nature reserves and national parks across the country, according to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
Water sites were the most popular destinations, led by Hurshat Tal, Gan HaShlosha, also known as the Sachne, and the Dor-Habonim Beach Nature Reserve. About 6,800 visitors stayed overnight at the authority’s campgrounds over the weekend, with Achziv Beach, Hurshat Tal, Ma’ayan Harod and Tel Ashkelon among the most popular sites.
Full forecast
Temperatures will rise again Sunday as Israel experiences the peak of the heat wave. Winds are expected to strengthen from the afternoon.
A slight drop in temperatures is forecast for Monday, although conditions will remain hotter than usual for the season and heavy heat stress will continue. Tuesday morning is expected to be clear, with a further decline in temperatures as the heat wave begins to ease.
Speaking to the ynet studio Thursday ahead of the heat wave, Givati urged the public to avoid outdoor activity during the hottest hours.
“This is an event of truly extreme heat,” he said. “There was a similar heat wave last August, and there were quite a few cases of heatstroke. Anyone in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area may not fully understand what we are talking about, but in the north it will be extremely hot and dry during the afternoon.”
Forecast temperatures for Saturday night and Sunday:
Jerusalem: 23°C to 33°C (73.4°F to 91.4°F)
Tel Aviv: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91.4°F)
Haifa: 24°C to 33°C (75.2°F to 91.4°F)
Safed: 24°C to 37°C (75.2°F to 98.6°F)
Katzrin: 23°C to 41°C (73.4°F to 105.8°F)
Tiberias: 25°C to 41°C (77°F to 105.8°F)
Nazareth: 25°C to 36°C (77°F to 96.8°F)
Afula: 22°C to 38°C (71.6°F to 100.4°F)
Beit She’an: 27°C to 41°C (80.6°F to 105.8°F)
Lod: 24°C to 34°C (75.2°F to 93.2°F)
Ashdod: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91.4°F)
Ein Gedi: 31°C to 42°C (87.8°F to 107.6°F)
Be’er Sheva: 23°C to 37°C (73.4°F to 98.6°F)
Mitzpe Ramon: 25°C to 36°C (77°F to 96.8°F)
Eilat: 31°C to 43°C (87.8°F to 109.4°F)