Intense heatwave to hit Israel over weekend, peaking on Sunday’s Tisha B’Av fast

Israel is set to be blanketed by a heatwave over the weekend, with health authorities on Thursday issuing advisories in light of the expected extreme weather.

Temperatures are forecast to peak on Sunday (95°F in Jerusalem, 90°F in Tel Aviv, 109°F in Eilat) during the Jewish fast of Tisha B’Av, which mourns the destruction of the temples. The fast begins on Saturday evening.

The Magen David Adom ambulance service called on those fasting to drink large quantities of water beforehand, and said that the sick and elderly should consult with their doctors before deciding to fast.

The Health Ministry urged people, in particular the elderly and those with preexisting conditions, to stay out of the sun, stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary physical exertion during the “extreme” heat.

“The Israeli summer has many pleasant sides to it, but now we are entering the more difficult period in terms of heat and humidity,” Israel Meteorological Service forecaster Oren Davidoff told the Walla news site.

The intense heat will be felt in most parts of the country and is not expected to drop until the middle of next week.