Israel braces for unseasonably cold, rainy weekend

Israel is bracing for an “unseasonably cold” and rainy weekend nationwide, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected from north to south and risks of flash floods in the Dead Sea area, according to the Israel Meteorological Service (IMS).

Temperatures are not expected to go above 8°C (46.4°F) in Jerusalem on Friday and Saturday, dropping to 5°C (41°F) overnight. In Tel Aviv, temperatures of between 10°-13°C (50-55.4°F) will prevail most of the weekend.

The IMS said temperatures across the country are expected to be unseasonably low over the weekend and into next week with strong winds coming in from the west. Snow will continue to fall on Mount Hermon on Friday and Saturday.

Occasional showers in northern and central Israel are set to be accompanied by isolated thunderstorms with a chance of rainfall in the northern Negev Desert over the next two days. The IMS forecasted a slight risk of flooding along the coastline, and chances for flash floods in the Dead Sea region and the Judean Desert in the West Bank later Friday, as rain is expected to intensify overnight.

Last month, at least three people died of hypothermia as a winter storm swept Israel, bringing chilly weather and strong winds alongside heavy rain.

The storm also brought down trees and electrical poles, sparking fires and widespread flooding.